49ers QB Brock Purdy excited for Australia game, team's new roster additions
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy joins Laura Britt at the 2026 Dwight Clark Legacy Series event on Wednesday in San Jose.
49ers QB Brock Purdy excited for Australia game, team's new roster additions originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Video Transcript
One of our featured guests of the night is joining me right now.
Please welcome out 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
Great to see you, Brock.
You too.
Thanks for being here.
Thank you.
This is awesome.
Oh, this is gonna be really fun.
We got the two barbecues, we got Brock Purdy joining us.
Brock, your wife is- Thank you so gracious in sharing some behind-the-scenes videos of you as a dad.
You had all last season to be an NFL quarterback and a dad.
What was that transition like for you?
Man, it was, it was so fun.
I didn't know that humans grow that fast.
So, like, we had our daughter in training camp, and then as the season went, like, when I'd come home, I'm like, "Oh my gosh," like, "This is crazy."
I didn't know, just the way that she looked at me and, and then started crawling towards the end of the season, all of it.
man, it's, it's a beautiful thing just being a father and, and then doing it with my beautiful wife Jenna.
So that's been awesome.
But also handling being a quarterback in the NFL, like it's, it's something I never would've imagined, but it's been so, so fun, so.
Has she started yelling at you, like, "More pushups."
Yeah.
Not yet?
Yeah, not yet.
She's like, "You need to, you need to pick up the dad strength," so.
She's like- Hopefully my arm strength will get stronger- That's right you know, having, having a daughter, so.
Those are, I don't know if you guys enjoy it, but it's so sweet to see those behind the scene moment, behind the scenes moments rather that, that Jenna's been sharing.
big news, as you guys know with the schedule release, week one, a few miles away.
Few miles away?
Yeah.
In Australia.
He can't say that, but I can.
It's kinda far.
Long plane ride.
Anybody going to that?
Is anybody going to Australia?
Woo!
It's a good reason to go to Australia.
What was the reaction from the team when you guys found out about I mean, it's NFL history.
A, a regular season game in the NFL has never been played in Australia, so a really unique opportunity for you guys.
Yeah.
I mean, obviously it is far, but all the guys were excited in terms of like going and playing an NFL game in Australia.
It's never been done before.
it's nice that it's the first game of the year.
Yeah.
So we get to finish training camp and then head out there and, and get acclimated out there.
But, yeah, obviously start off the season strong with a win in Australia.
Create more fans across the world.
Some more Faithful.
So it's gonna be fun.
Have you ever been on a flight that long?
I have not.
I haven't, I haven't either.
Yeah.
Yeah.
16-hour flight, is that what it is?
Yeah, I think so.
Yeah.
That's a little, it's a little distance- Yeah that you got there.
Yep.
That'll be fun, though.
I know it's gonna be a big audience.
The, the stadiums are huge over there, so I'm sure the- Yeah Niners Faithful are gonna travel strong as you always do.
Right.
That's right.
That's right.
That's right.
you also have some new faces around.
I, I was wondering if you've gotten the chance to hang out with Mike Evans at all yet, and what that experience has been like for you.
Yeah, he's been awesome.
obviously just what he's done in his career.
He's a Hall of Famer, thousand yard seasons y- s- really year after year his whole career.
He's won a Super Bowl.
just like being around him and in his presence and understanding, you know, what it's gonna take to play with him and, and just like, honestly, like the good pressure that it brings.
Like, all right, I have a guy that is demanding success and demanding to be great, and I love that.
I wanna play with guys like that.
Obviously, I've played with guys like that with George and Christian and all that, but to bring Mike in the fold now and be able to have a big target like he is, but how he sees the game and, him breaking down routes that he's run with Tom and Baker Mayfield.
And I'm like, all right, like, this guy knows ball.
And so, I'm really excited.
And as we go, we're just gonna continue to build chemistry and it's gonna get good.
I, yeah, I think that's so interesting 'cause obviously the quarterback, you're leader on the field, off the field for this team, but then you have someone of his caliber step into that locker room and you're practicing with him every day.
I- is there, do you pick his brain?
Is it just natural how you guys talk about the game?
What, what can you learn from him?
Yeah, I think, just like his experience.
He's going into, I think, year 13 or 14, and, just talking about like certain routes in the red zone and, and I'm like, "Hey, dude, on film I saw you run this w- one route.
We, we have a similar concept.
Like, what are you thinking?"
And he's like, "Actually, it's not that concept.
I had a choice to go around the DB a certain way," and, and Tom knew to put the ball there and, and that's something that we had talked and worked through.
And I'm like, "Oh, shoot."
So that's like stuff that we're gonna, you know, have to talk through and work through, but I'm so excited because this guy sees the game, I feel like, like a quarterback does.
Sometimes the skill players, it's tough 'cause, like, they run their route, "Coach taught me eight yards I'm breaking this way or that way."
But when you get a guy that can see the, the game like a quarterback and have a feel for it, those are the kinda guys that I think are, they take their game to the next level, and you get a Hall of Famer like Mike Evans.
How has it been seeing the other teammates interact with Mike Evans?
Has he been around?
What's that been like for you guys behind the scenes?
Yeah, it's been sweet.
Just in the locker room, like, Mike is obviously a, a Hall of Fame receiver and all the things, but, he's, he's a bro, you know, to all of us.
Like, he's the guy that's in the locker room that's chatting it up, having, making jokes with guys and stuff and, and he's just a real dude.
He's a father.
He's, bouncing back and forth and, and going back home to Texas and coaching up his daughter's, like, basketball team and stuff, so.
Oh, that's cool.
yeah, he's, he's just a real dude that we all love being around.
You also have quite a few other new faces.
You got Christian Kirk, you have your draft pick, the first dra- or second round draft pick for the, the Niners this season in Dashaun Stribling.
have you gotten to interact with him at all?
Have you seen those rookies around?
Yeah.
Rookies are in.
We're all working.
you know, Stribling's a guy that, same thing, like, has, has a lot of raw talent.
and just throwing routes on there and stuff to him and getting a feel for how he moves and his speed.
he's a guy that, you know, once we obviously get him in the playbook a r- a lot and get reps with each other on the field, I feel like he's gonna be a guy that can come in and make an instant, impact.
And so, you know, Kyle and, and Hank Leonard, Leonard, have done a really good job with just developing receivers and stuff.
So to have him in the fold with the great receiving corps that we have right now, it's just, it's amazing.
As a quarterback, I'm like, "Let's go."
Yeah, you're ready.
Yep.
you mentioned the chemistry, and sometimes, I don't know if you guys have heard this, sometimes players will, will downplay chemistry and say, "Ah, I don't know that it, it really is a factor."
I'm interested to hear from your perspectiveFirst off, do you do anything, is there anything special you do to try and build chemistry with new players, whether they're veterans or rookies?
And then do you think that chemistry is overrated, it's just something that people on the outside talk about or, or does that make a difference in a game?
No, I think it makes a difference for sure.
obviously getting reps on air, how certain guys move.
Ricky Pearsall and Jake Cowing are two different guys and, and they run differently.
Jake Tonges is different.
All these guys, they just, they move differently.
So to be able to drop back and understand, hey, I gotta get this ball out quick 'cause this guy's gonna get out of this cut quick, or this guy takes a little bit longer, but he's gonna create separation at the last second.
Like those are things that, you know, I need to learn and, and we all, all need to learn and get on the same page with, early off-season and training camp and then in the heat of battle once we get in-season.
So I think it's a real thing.
But, at the end of the day, it is football, too, where you can't overthink things and, and you gotta go out there and play and, and find a way, so.
How excited is Kyle Shanahan about having Mike Evans and some new available options for you?
Yeah, he's pumped.
I mean, just watching the film.
Him, Christian Kirk, having him in the slot- Yeah and what he's done in his career.
and then Ricky Pearsall back and healthy, Jake Cowing healthy, Jordan Watkins, DeMarcus Robinson.
Like our receiving corps as a whole, like we're really excited about right now.
Everyone's healthy and good.
We gotta keep it going and, and, just keep stacking days and, I think, you know, we got a, a really good corps as a whole.
You mentioned the health, and last season that was obviously really tough probably for all of you to watch.
And being on the inside, I mean, that's gotta be such a challenge.
Every week it seemed like a key player was going down.
I mean, you struggled with health last year.
Fred Warner, George Kittle, Nick Bosa.
I mean, so many other players on that list, too.
There- That required a lot of younger players to step in to key roles for you guys.
Do you think that that adversity from last season actually could benefit you guys this season?
Yeah, 100%.
I think, you know, the last couple years before the 2024 season, you know, it was five years of NFC Championship or Super Bowl, and that was the goal.
And which rightfully so it should've been.
2024 happened, injuries and things, and then last year happened, injuries.
So it just, it puts a taste in your mouth where it's like this is not granted.
Like you have to go out, you have to earn it, you have to have the chip on your shoulder and, and be a team that goes out and hunts.
And so, yeah, for what we did last year with guys going down, having young guys and new guys step up and ready to go an- and for, for us to go into the playoffs and get a win on the road in Philly and all that, like that's, that's, for us, it's very encouraging.
Obviously, going into this, this year, getting our guys back and healthy.
But having that same chip on the shoulder, you can't lose it.
Y- yeah, with that, what is the carryover from season to season?
I know you obviously get new players and you lose players and is there a carryover from a past season to a current season?
How have you seen that transpire throughout your time in the NFL?
Yeah, I think, I mean, you lose guys, you add guys, all, all that.
That, it's, you have a new team every year.
You do.
But, obviously the way organizations build up culture and the base root guys that, you know, have been there.
Obviously Kittle, Fred, Bosa, Christian, Juice, myself, like we have these guys that, you know, still maintain that standard.
So whoever does come in that's new, we teach them and show them the standard.
And, and then they, they get along with us, and, and then we go and, and find a way.
So, I mean, that's a credit to top down and to the guys that you guys just saw up here on the stage.
Like those guys that have laid the foundation to, for what it means to be a 49er, f- going back to the '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and, and the success.
Like those are th- Like we play and have pride as a 49er because of those guys, you know?
So, it goes way back.
Yeah.
You are the quarterback of one of the most legendary franchises, not just in NFL history, in sports history.
Have you had a, a moment the season, yeah, you say the off-season, but you guys are constantly working out, constantly trying to get an edge, get better.
Have you had a moment to really think about, it's kind of a lot of weight on your shoulders and the responsibility that you have.
And you see these guys up here, and Dwight Clark and Joe Montana and Steve Young and Jerry Rice.
These are guys that are walking among you on the field, wi- with Jerry being there all the time, and you see Joe and Steve.
Have you had a moment to, to think about that and reflect on what this means?
Yeah.
I mean, every single day I, I get up and I'm like, "This is crazy," you know?
I'm a, I'm a 49er.
Obviously, the sto- starting quarterback.
But like just the- the history of this place.
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah.
I'll never take it for granted.
Obviously, just with how I came into the league and all that and, and fighting and, and, going through adversity to just make the team.
But now the fact that I get to, you know, put on the, the 9er logo and, and go to the weight room and just that pride that I have of being here in the Bay Area and, wanting to, to get that next championship for sure.
And so that's like obviously on my mind, but it has to be one day at a time.
It has to be when I watch the film, how do I literally watch it and critique myself?
How do I be better for myself and my teammates, for this organization and fan base?
Like it's, it means everything.
And this window is so, so big.
It's, you know, for, in terms of playing.
You don't get to play forever.
And so for me it's like I wanna go all in so that when I am done, I can lay my head down on the pillow and say, "I gave it everything I had."
Well, yeah.
If there's one player that gives it everything he has, we know it's George Kittle.
He, that man is like, I don't even know that you can say 110%.
He's like operating at 500% all the time.
Yeah.
Or that's what it feels like- Yeah at least.
He obviously had a tough break with the Achilles.
And to watch him rehab, I know you guys did that with Fred.
Fred was like the Energizer bunny for you guys last season- Yeah to help you stay gritty.
What has it been like seeing George Kittle-Rehab, because if he attacks that like he does everything else, I imagine it's pretty nuts.
Yeah.
He's done absolutely everything possible in terms of rehab and what you can do to get back, and, and that's George.
You know, he's gonna try to get back as soon as he can.
And, but just the fact that his presence, being in the weight room, being around the guys in the locker room, in the cafeteria.
Like, when George is in the building, you just, you can hear him, one, and then you just- you feel him.
Like- Does he eat mashed potatoes, like, with aggression?
Oh, yeah.
How does that go?
Everything he does is, like- 5,000% more than the average person.
But, we love him and, and the energy, energy he brings, obviously.
but he's a, he's a true captain, man.
He does everything right.
I've learned a lot in terms of how to take care of your body and, and the, the treatment stuff from him and Christian and all the guys.
But George is gonna do everything he can to get back and play for the Faithful and, and Levi's.
It's gonna be fun.
Do you think he'll be able to be back for week one in Australia?
I mean, knowing George, I wouldn't doubt it, but I'm not gonna publicly say, "He's gonna be back."
So- Yeah I hope so.
They wanna hear that he's gonna be back.
Yeah.
I know.
Trust me, same.
I'm sure he wants to be able- Yeah to say that too.
Yeah.
you know, getting George Kittle back, having Fred Warner healthy, having Nick Bosa back, you being healthy, so much of the team having some time to kinda repair their bodies, what do you think this team is capable of when you guys are at full strength, full health?
I mean, you guys have seen it, you know, in years past, like NFC championship, getting to the Super Bowl, being right there.
obviously how 2023 ended with that taste in our mouth of being right there and not being able to finish, like obviously we have what it takes to go all the way and win it.
Like, that's when we're at full strength and good to go.
But just like I said, like even though we are f- at full strength and full health, like that's not guaranteed.
And that's the cool thing about the guys that we have in the locker room and our organization, is no one just sits there and goes, "Oh, look at our roster and how beautiful it looks."
Like- no, the guys are, are ready to go.
Like, we, like I said, when it's said and done, like we wanna be able to come back just like all these other guys and have rings on our fingers and be able to celebrate those, those key wins and moments, for the history of the 49ers.
Like, that's what's on our minds, so we, we gotta do it.
I don't wanna get too mushy up here, but you, Kyle Juszczyk is getting the Dwight Clark Award tonight.
It, it's a big honor to be able to continue the legacy of Dwight Clark and everything that he meant to the organization and as a teammate, who he was.
What is Kyle like as a teammate?
Man, Old Juice.
He's, he's been around for a long time.
Um- I'm gonna tell him you said that.
Yeah, please.
I'll, I'll tell it straight to him.
But he's, man, he, he's, he's the man.
talk about, you know, when people say glue guys and stuff, but, like, he really does.
The, the way that he speaks to the team, the way that he shows up and works, he's here year-round, around the guys from the beginning of, you know, phase one stuff and OTAs when it's not even mandatory.
He's here, and he's in year, like 15 or whatever.
And, um- He's calling him old again.
Yeah.
By the way.
Sorry, Juice.
But, more than that, just the way that he lays down his life for his teammates, his family, the people in his life as a whole, this community, what he's done here.
I think he's got a, a road or something dedicated to him, 'cause he gave to, a road around here, a highway or something.
Oh, really?
Oh, yeah.
I didn't know that.
I was driving one day.
I was like, "That's Kyle Juszczyk Road?"
so- I did not know that.
Yeah, that's, ask him about it.
I will.
I'll have to.
but no, he's, he's the man.
He deserves this award in, in what he's done.
So, you know, he's, he's a guy that we all respect and love and couldn't be happier for him.
Thanks for sharing that.
we will pass that along, and I am gonna ask him about his road.
before we let you go here, what's your message to the 49er Faithful for this upcoming season?
You guys are about to really start gearing up and, and getting into prep.
What would be your message to the fans?
Man, one, thank you, guys, for your support, and you guys travel the best.
You guys are there for us.
Win or lose, you guys are there for us, and that's why we love you and why we wanna win for you guys.
and more than anything, we're gonna come back together and, and last year doesn't matter, the years before doesn't matter.
What matters is where we're at right now, where our feet are at, and we're gonna go all in for each other and for you guys.
So appreciate you guys, and we love you.
All right.
Let's give it up for 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
Thanks, Brock.
Yeah.
Appreciate it.
Okay.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Yeah, yep.
