If nothing else, San Francisco 49ers players are doing well to express belief in rookie quarterback Brock Purdy.
After 49ers linebacker Fred Warner insisted on Monday Purdy can guide the club to at least an appearance in Super Bowl LVII, fellow linebacker Dre Greenlaw echoed that take while speaking about the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft on San Francisco radio station KNBR.
"That's the goal. I know we can," Greenlaw said, per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone. "I don't think anybody has lost faith in what we're able to do. I don't think nobody really even just thought about it. I think everybody is just so focused in and lasered in on trying to go 1-0 the next game that we don't think we don't even have a chance. We're just kind of coming in with all the faith possible, and once we get on the field, we'll be able to get the job done."
Purdy helped the 49ers earn a 33-17 win over the Miami Dolphins this past Sunday after starter Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a season-ending foot injury. The 22-year-old connected on 25-of-37 passes for 210 yards with two touchdowns and an interception and is preparing to make his first NFL start when the 8-4 Niners host the 6-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday.
"I knew that, once I found out that he was in the game, man, I could just tell, once I took a look at him, and he scored that first touchdown to [fullback Kyle Juszczyk], I knew that the hype, the determination, everything, the swagger that he had, I knew he was ready to go," Greenlaw added about Purdy. "If he can keep slinging that thing, you best believe we can make it to the Super Bowl."
2022 NFL Draft Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy, is in for the 49ers in relief of Jimmy Garoppolo. Here's his first NFL touchdown pass, a short pass to Kyle Juszczyk. pic.twitter.com/m4Xi6ShnwO
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 4, 2022
Purdy wasn't supposed to play as a first-year pro but was initially elevated on the depth chart after San Francisco QB1 Trey Lance went down with a season-ending ankle injury back in Week 2. Garoppolo technically "won" his last five starts, including the Miami game, and the 49ers will enter this weekend holding a slight lead over the second-place Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West standings.
7-5 Seattle hosts the 4-8 Carolina Panthers this Sunday.
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