- The San Francisco 49ers planned to sign a veteran QB in 2018
- And their lack of attention towards Patrick Mahomes led them to Brock Purdy
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The 49ers “didn’t do any work” on Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 draft when they targeted Kirk Cousins, it was reported, though the decision actually helped them land Brock Purdy five years later.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter appeared on ‘Excuse my opinion’ and explained San Francisco’s winding journey to drafting their current starting quarterback – who finished fourth in MVP voting this season.
“In the draft where the 49ers had the second overall pick in 2017, Patrick Mahomes was in that draft, and they didn’t do anything on him because they thought Kirk Cousins was going to leave Washington (Commanders) in the offseason,” Schefter said .
However, as Schefter explained, those plans changed when the 49ers were offered Jimmy Garoppolo from the Patriots midway through the season.
“What happens is New England calls San Francisco that Halloween and says, ‘Hey, we gotta move on from Jimmy Garoppolo, just give us a two (second round). “Well, they do, so that blows up Kirk Cousins’ plan.”
The 49ers passing on Patrick Mahomes led them to Brock Purdy, Adam Schefter explained
Purdy had a strong season as he helped lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl, where they fell to KC
Mahomes led a 13-play, 75-yard Las Vegas touchdown drive to win the game in overtime
While the 49ers had not delved into Mahomes prior to the draft, they reportedly did “extensive work” on CJ Beathard, who they would ultimately take in the third round.
And when the quarterback signed with the Jaguars four years later, the 49ers received a compensatory seventh-round pick — the last pick of the entire draft — which they used to select Purdy ahead of the 2022 season.
While the Iowa State product started third on the depth chart that year, he was thrust into action after injuries to Garoppolo and initial starter Trey Lance.
From there, Purdy hasn’t looked back, as he won his first seven games under center last year before throwing for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns this season.
Ultimately, the 49ers just couldn’t get past the Chiefs in this year’s Super Bowl, as Mahomes led a 13-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to win the game in overtime.
The 49ers may regret their decision to pass on the three-time champion – who fell to 10th overall – but they still found a quality player in Purdy.