San Francisco 49ers star Brock Purdy may be the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, but Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes never had any doubt that the youngster would be so successful in the pros.

Mahomes said as much on Monday during the Super Bowl Media Day, noting that he watched Purdy even when the Niners QB was still in college. Right there and then, the Chiefs star knew that the then Iowa State signal-caller was going to be a winner wherever he goes.

Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes Praises Brock Purdy

Feb 5, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking to reporters, Mahomes shared what he saw from Purdy during his collegiate days and in his brief time so far as QB1 for the 49ers.

According to Mahomes, Purdy’s competitiveness really stood out to him, which is why the Chiefs gunslinger isn’t surprised that the 24-year-old quickly established himself as a legitimate force in the NFL. Remember, it’s just Purdy’s second year in the league, but he has already led San Francisco to the Super Bowl.

“I’ve seen Brock play since he was in college, I knew how good he was. I watched him play. I watch the Big 12 a lot, so I watched him play a ton. He was a winner, and he made plays happen all through his college career. Usually, when you can make it happen in college, no matter what your surroundings are, and turn around a program like he did at Iowa State, you’re going to make it happen when you get your opportunity in the NFL,” Mahomes said of Purdy, via NFL on X (formerly Twitter).

“So I wasn’t very surprised he’s had the success that he’s had because he’s a winner and he’s a guy that goes out there and competes. And I’ve always said, more than a football player, you’ve got to be someone who competes, and he’s always been one of those guys.”

It’s hard to deny what Mahomes just said. While there might be plenty of criticisms on Purdy, he has shut them down time and time again.

Some may be calling him a game manager. Others might be saying he’s lucky to have a star-studded team with the 49ers. But at the end of the day, Purdy was able to stick because he put in the work and proved to everyone that he’s the right quarterback for the team.

San Francisco 49ers’ Brock Purdy Is Mr. Irrelevant

Feb 5, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) during Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Of course not everyone thought the same as Mahomes. In fact, the 31 other teams really didn’t have much belief in him.

That is proven by the fact that Purdy ended up as the Mr. Irrelevant of the the 2022 NFL Draft–a title given to the last pick of the yearly rookie selection. The San Francisco 49ers picked Purdy with the 262nd overall pick in the said draft.

Sure enough, there aren’t a lot of high expectations on players taken in such late stages. Nonetheless, Purdy couldn’t care less. Making it to the NFL was all that mattered, and he surely didn’t waste the opportunity he was given.

Now, Brock Purdy is going to face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. How many Mr. Irrelevants can say that they led a team to the final game?
Nov 23, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan stands on the sideline during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY SportsSource: https://gridironheroics.com/kansas-city-chiefs-patrick-mahomes-brock-purdy-success/