San Francisco,Sa – April 19, 2025
In a surprising twist at the 2025 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected a star backup quarterback in the fourth round, per sources, adding depth behind Brock Purdy. The pick, finalized Thursday in Green Bay, reunites Purdy with a childhood teammate from Arizona, stunning fans with their shared history. The move bolsters Kyle Shanahan’s offense as the 49ers rebound from a 6-11 season.
Purdy, 25, anchors the 49ers with a 23-13 record and a Super Bowl LVIII run. His 2024 stats—3,864 yards, 20 touchdowns, 12 interceptions—came amid Christian McCaffrey’s injuries and Deebo Samuel’s trade. With Purdy’s $50-60 million extension looming, John Lynch seeks cost-effective depth, making this draft choice a strategic hedge against uncertainty.
The new quarterback, a 6-foot-5, 219-pound prospect, threw for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 2024 at Louisville. His strong arm and pocket presence, honed across stints at Oregon and Texas Tech, fit Shanahan’s play-action-heavy system. Their bond, forged as teammates on Arizona’s Chandler Reds baseball team, could ease his transition.
The pick stems from a viral discovery by Dane Brugler, who unearthed a photo of the quarterbacks as teens alongside Cole Bellinger. Purdy’s meteoric rise contrasts with the rookie’s injury-plagued college path, including a broken collarbone and fibula. Despite a shaky NFL Combine, his tape drew praise from Jay Gruden, who ranked him a top-three quarterback prospect.
San Francisco’s quarterback room, with Mac Jones and Tanner Mordecai, needed a long-term backup. The rookie’s $4 million, four-year deal fits the 49ers’ $22 million cap, preserving funds for Purdy and defensive needs like Javon Hargrave’s replacement. Lynch’s 11 picks, including No. 11, allow flexibility to target Mason Graham or Kelvin Banks Jr. early.
Risks abound. The quarterback’s injury history and age—26 by September 2025—raise doubts about his ceiling. Purdy’s entrenched role limits immediate snaps, and a high-profile contract dispute, per Grant Cohn, could overshadow the rookie’s arrival. Critics question using a pick when Jones suffices, especially with defensive holes.
The move leverages Shanahan’s quarterback development prowess. If groomed effectively, the backup could emulate Purdy’s “Mr. Irrelevant” rise, offering trade value or injury insurance. Puka Nacua’s recent warning about Purdy’s cap hit underscores the need for cheap talent to keep the roster competitive.
This draft pick, rooted in a nostalgic Arizona connection, signals Lynch’s bold vision. As the 49ers chase NFC West supremacy, the star backup’s potential to learn from Purdy and contribute in Shanahan’s system could prove a masterstroke—or a sentimental misstep.
