Brock Purdy
Brock Purdy is making changes on and off the field, entering his third year in the NFL.
For one thing, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback no longer shares a house with his teammate, forward Nick Zakelja — after their wedding in March, Purdy and his new wife, Jenna Brandt, had to downsize.
“He actually lived with us for a few months after the wedding just because it was his rental, so that was it,” Purdy, 24, told PEOPLE in an exclusive interview related to his partnership with Applebee’s. “But apparently when we got married, Jenna said, ‘Okay, well, after his lease is up, he can’t live with us anymore.’ I said, ‘Yes, I understand.’ ”
After a heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl last February, the signal caller also vows to change his mindset a bit and downplay any type-A tendencies this upcoming season.
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy still has a roommate in San Francisco, says they ‘share the rent’
“For me, it’s more about staying on the field, being efficient, making as many legal reads as possible every time,” Purdy tells PEOPLE. “I know that football games will not be perfect and that you will make mistakes. It’s part of the game. But for me it was like watching a movie last year and there were times in games for me where I could make the right decision to check the ball and get some yards and stay on the field instead of trying to force a long deep throw or throw for which I think will fall first when he is gone.”
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He continues, “So it’s just about being smart, being efficient, and if we’re able to stay on the court and pick up points, then we can finish games quicker. And those are the things that are hard for me, but at the same time, it’s the NFL. It’s never going to be easy, and every weekend you’re playing the best of the best in the sport.”
For the returning 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 introductions before kickoff against the Washington Commanders at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2022.
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty
Teammates like wide receiver Deeb Samuel and tight end George Kittle praise his “never quit” mentality and confidence-inspiring leadership — all of which doesn’t sit well with the man once known as Mr. Irrelevant.
“I mean, that’s where I’m done with the invitation,” Purdy tells PEOPLE of the waning appeal of his moniker. “I was the last pick and obviously there’s a term for that, but in the back of my mind it was, ‘I get a chance with the team and I’m selected,’ and I’ll be forever grateful for that.”
He adds: “And so for me, I came and just went to work, and I never thought of myself as Mr. Irrelevant or anything like that. It’s just a term I’ve been given, but I never thought of myself that way. Going into my third year now as a starter and everything, I’m not thinking about being the last pick in the draft or anything to be honest. I hold myself to the standard of trying to win as many games as possible here for this team and try every day to be one of the best guards in the league.”
This season, Purdy is also tackling a new role in a partnership with Applebee’s, a place he frequented as a rising athlete in Arizona.
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Michael Owens/Getty
“Yeah, I mean, just growing up after Little League baseball games or youth football games, my family and I, and all my teammates would go to Applebee’s and hang out and eat good food after some games,” shares Purdy. “[They’re] as legitimately as possible.”
In a hilarious new ad for the chain, Purdy shows a waiter calling shows from his wristband while wearing a name tag that says “Mr. Relevant.” Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley and Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell also have memorable episodes in the campaign.
Kurt Warner ‘Excited’ About Brock Purdy’s Super Bowl Chance: ‘Just Let Him Be Brock Purdy’ (Exclusive)
Behind the scenes, the former Iowa State standout is getting used to his new life as a husband — something that helps him deal with the intense scrutiny that NFL quarterbacks 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, so I think that helps me tremendously when I’m just playing football.”
He continues: “If everything was football, it would be a lot. So having her with me keeps me fresh in my mind and stuff like that. The marriage was great.”
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Source: HIS Education