As the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, then-rookie quarterback Brock Purdy seemed to have almost no chance of making the San Francisco 49ers' 53-man roster in year one.
By default, Purdy was a long shot. He'd have to overtake at least one of the Niners' other three more established options under center: Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance or Nate Sudfeld.
Ultimately, Purdy did just that, forcing head coach Kyle Shanahan's hand during training camp that year, which led to Sudfeld's release in the wake of Shanahan telling CEO Jed York, "I think our third-string quarterback is our best quarterback."
Purdy subsequently went on to be considered for the 2023 NFL MVP award before inking a lucrative five-year, $265 million extension to become San Francisco's highest-paid player of all time.
However, there was one point way back in 2022 when Purdy likely felt such fortunes would never come his way.
And Shanahan played along.
Kyle Shanahan convinced Brock Purdy he was going to be cut
On a recent episode of the Bussin' With The Boys podcast, Purdy shared a funny story about his rookie year in which he was battling for a roster spot against Garoppolo, Lance and Sudfeld.
Being a seventh-round pick, Purdy clearly knew his odds of surviving cuts were long, and he also understood that players who were going to be let go personally met with Shanahan in his office to receive the unfortunate news.
Shanahan apparently opted to play that game with his rookie quarterback.
"We're in the quarterback room, and then Kyle opened up the door," Purdy explained. "He goes, 'Hey, Brock, can you grab your stuff and come talk to me?' I was like, 'Bro.' I was like, 'Am I getting cut?' I was like, 'Dang, dude.'"
But the head coach knew what he was doing, long having made up his mind about extending Purdy's chances to carve out a role on the regular-season roster.
"And then he goes, 'No, I'm kidding. Set your stuff down,'" Purdy continued. "He's like, 'Congrats, bro,' and then dapped me up."
Purdy admitted that he was quite flustered in the moment.
Of course, that rookie year turned out to be quite the storyline, particularly after both Lance and Garoppolo suffered season-ending injuries, which led to Purdy claiming the starting role -- a job he never relinquished.
For a moment, at least, it seemed as if Purdy thought such outcomes would never be possible.
Hat tip to David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone for the find and transcription.
