With Jimmy Garappolo and Trey Lance out long term with injuries, the San Francisco 49ers turned to Brock Purdy — the last player chosen in the 2022 NFL Draft — to keep their NFC playoff hopes alive.
And for Purdy’s first test as a starter, the schedule-makers matched him up with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tom Brady.
Expectations were low entering the game for Purdy, but ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ came out flying. When the dust settled, he became the first quarterback in NFL history to beat Brady in his first start, leading the 49ers to a convincing 35-7 win.
Purdy completed 16 of his 21 passes for 185 yards, throwing two touchdowns and rushing for another in the win.
Football fans were understandably in awe of the performance. Here are some of the best reactions from social media.