Brock Purdy's Legacy and the Impact of a 49ers Super Bowl Victory

The San Francisco 49ers found themselves in a challenging situation after trading extensively to select Trey Lance in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, only to see him start just four games over two seasons. Fortunately, the franchise hit the jackpot in the seventh round of the 2022 draft with Brock Purdy, who has since stepped up as the team's starting quarterback, demonstrating impressive potential in the position.

In his four seasons in the NFL, Purdy has already made it to the Pro Bowl and led the 49ers to the NFC Championship twice, as well as one Super Bowl appearance—an impressive feat for a player picked in the seventh round. While every quarterback aspires to win a Super Bowl, some require the prestigious title to solidify their legacy. CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo placed Purdy at No. 13 on a list ranking quarterbacks who need a championship win the most.

“Two years after leading the 49ers to an NFC title, Purdy signed a contract extension befitting a top-tier quarterback. But if Purdy wants to truly be considered elite, he needs to help the 49ers end their 32-year championship drought,” DeArdo noted. He drew parallels to Steve Young, who faced a similar narrative before the 49ers' last championship in 1994 and responded by winning the league MVP and Super Bowl MVP.

Ranked above Purdy in terms of legacy-building Super Bowl needs are quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford, Kyler Murray, and Patrick Mahomes, with Lamar Jackson topping the list. This season, the 49ers have bolstered their offensive lineup with new weapons for Purdy, but success will also depend on maintaining player health and a stronger defensive performance compared to last season.