Drew Brees raves about Brock Purdy's underdog story and playmaking ability

LAS VEGAS — Brock Purdy is relevant to Drew Brees.

The Super Bowl 44 MVP was on Radio Row at Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas on Thursday and gushed over the San Francisco 49ers quarterback. Brees said he has been impressed with Purdy's role as the underdog, playing at Iowa State and being selected as the last pick in the 2022 NFL draft, giving him the title "Mr. Irrelevant." He's now playing in his first championship when the 49ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs.

"He plays with such great poise," Brees told USA TODAY Sports. "You can tell he's got a higher calling other than just being a football player. His faith is very important to him. And you just feel that. He's got a presence to him. Very calm, cool."

On Monday, Purdy said he models his game after the 13-time Pro Bowler. Brees said he sees the similarities in size and stature. He also appreciated Purdy's grit, which was shown in the NFC championship game where the 49ers came back to beat the Detroit Lions.

"He had three outstanding runs to convert third downs and like defining moments in that game. For the team, the stadium, it set everybody off," Brees said. "I'm just pointing to his ability to do whatever it took to win that game and step up and do it. And it was outside the box of what you thought was gonna happen. And yet, I think it just shows a lot about the type of player he is."

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Brees added that general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have done a great job setting up the 49ers organization in which both offense and defense are loaded. But he assured that doesn't mean anyone can just plug and play at quarterback.

"They put a lot on the quarterback. He's responsible for so much," Brees said. "His game is timing and rhythm. I watch the way he plays and I watch his feet and I can tell you this guy knows what he's doing, plays with confidence, mechanically sound, just can't say enough good things about him."