San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy Is Ready for Super Bowl Redemption: I 'Push Myself Everyday' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Brock Purdy.Photo:Applebee’s

Applebee’s

Brock Purdy

Brock Purdyis making changes on and off the field, entering his third year in the NFL.

For one, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback no longer shares a house with his teammate, offensive lineman Nick Zakelj — after their March wedding, Purdy and new wifeJenna Brandthad to make a roster cut.

“He actually did live with us for a couple months after the wedding just because that was his lease, so that was that,” Purdy, 24, tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview pegged to his partnership with Applebee’s. “But obviously once we got married, Jenna was like, ‘Alright, well, after his lease is up, he can’t live with us anymore.’ I’m like, ‘Yes, I understand.’ ”

On the heels of a heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl last February, the signal-caller also vows to slightly tweak his mindset and to downplay any Type-A tendencies this coming season.

“For me, it’s more of staying on the field, being efficient, making the right read every time as much as possible,” Purdy tells PEOPLE. “I know football games aren’t going to be perfect and you’re going to make mistakes. That’s part of the game. But for me, it was like, watching the film last year and there were moments in games for me where I could have made the right decision to check the ball down and get a couple yards and stay on the field, rather than trying to force a long deep throw or the throw that I think is going to get the first down when it’s not there.”

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He continues, “So it’s just being smart, it’s being efficient, and if we’re able to stay on the field and put up points, then we can put games away quicker. And so those are the things that I’m hard on, but at the same time, it’s the NFL. It’s never going to be easy, and you’re playing the best of the best in the sport every weekend.”

For the resurgent Purdy — who led the NFL in completion percentage, touchdown passes and yards per attempt last season, and was named to his first Pro Bowl — the strategy is already paying off.

Brock Purdy on the field during player introduction prior to the start of the game against the Washington Commanders at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2022.Thearon W. Henderson/Getty

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty

Teammates like wide receiverDeebo Samueland tight endGeorge Kittleare touting his “never give up” mentality and confidence-inspiring leadership — all of which doesn’t exactly jibe with a man who was once known as Mr. Irrelevant.

“I mean, that’s just where I ended up landing with the draft,” Purdy tells PEOPLE about the waning appeal of his nickname. “I was the last pick, and obviously there’s a term for it, but in my mind it was, ‘I get an opportunity with a team and I got drafted,’ and I’ll forever be grateful for that.”

He adds, “And so for me, I came in and just went to work, and I never thought of myself as Mr. Irrelevant or anything. That’s just the term I was given, but I never thought that about myself. Going into year three now being the starter and everything, I don’t really think about it to be honest, being the last draft pick or anything. I hold myself to a standard of trying to win the most games here as possible for this team and push myself every day to be one of the best quarterbacks in the league.”

This season, Purdy is also tackling a new role with his partnership with Applebee’s, a place where he frequently found himself dining at as an up-and-coming athlete in Arizona.

Michael Owens/Getty

“Yeah, I mean, just growing up after Little League baseball games or youth football games, like my family and I, and all my teammates would go to Applebee’s and hang out and have some good food after some games,” Purdy shares. “[They’re] as legit as it gets.”

In a hilarious new commercial for the chain, Purdy channels a waiter who calls plays from his wristband, while wearing a “Mr. Relevant” name tag. Philadelphia Eagles running backSaquon Barkleyand Detroit Lions head coachDan Campbellalso make memorable cameos in the campaign.

Behind the scenes, the former Iowa State standout is settling into his new life as husband — something which helps him deal with the intense scrutiny an NFL quarterback can often endure.

“Just being married to your best friend and everything,” Purdy tells PEOPLE. “For me, she gives me a reality check of what’s important in life, and so I think it helps me tremendously with just playing football.”

source: people.com