Purdy began the last five games of the regular season as a rookie after being selected with the final pick of the 2022 draft, following the injuries to Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance. After leading the Niners to the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles, he suffered a right elbow injury that hindered his throwing motion and had an effect on his summer.
After being drafted with the final pick of the 2022 draft, Purdy started the final five games of the regular season as a rookie after Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo went down injured. He would then lead the Niners to the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles, only to injure his right elbow, rendering him unable to throw the ball and subsequently impacting his offseason.
He bounced back in style to lead the franchise to Super Bowl LVIII last season, but Shanahan has pointed out that Purdy getting a full offseason programme in this year should bring about further improvements.
“Everything’s about repetition. You can learn it right away, (but) it’s about going through it,” Shanahan told the NFL Network at the Annual League Meeting in Orlando. “Brock’s gone through a lot in two years in these games, so that’s been great for him. But the way you get better is doing it over and over in practice and just drilling it. It’s all about getting those 10,000 reps.
“He spent it all last year knowing what he had to do, but he was just focusing (on getting) his arm healthy. Now he can go into this offseason knowing what he has to do but training his footwork, training his arm, training his mind. Just getting in the reps.”
Shanahan added that despite Purdy far exceeding expectations so far in San Francisco, more progress will be expected.
“When do you do that, the standard changes,” Shanahan said. “Right when people see you’re in that club, then they’re gonna try to see where in that club you are. It really never stops. That’s the pressure that is on those guys. It’s why it’s … the most high-paid position, because they’ve got to earn it.
“Brock’s done that these past two years. He’s been unbelievable. He’s done it week in and week out. He’s come back from a really tough injury in his first year. Had a hell of a year this year. Really hasn’t had an offseason yet with us. … I’m pumped to coach him.”
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