Every season, some rookies stand out as future superstar talents across the NFL.
Each month during the regular season, the NFL announces “Rookies of the Month,” one on offense, and one on defense.
Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Month! (December / January)@brockpurdy13 | @aidanhutch97 pic.twitter.com/gT51UpEnRD
— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2023
This month, the league has given this honor to Brock Purdy and Aidan Hutchinson.
Interestingly enough, these two players have very different NFL stories and they couldn’t be more different.
Coming into the 2022 NFL Draft, many believed that Hutchinson would be selected first overall, given his collegiate dominance, size, and speed.
However, he landed in the Detroit Lions’ lap and was selected second overall after Travon Walker was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Purdy, on the other hand, was the very last pick in the draft, a position that is dubbed “Mr. Irrelevant.”
So far, Purdy has been nothing short of spectacular, despite defying all odds.
Purdy was not supposed to be in this position.
Finding himself third on the San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback depth chart, Purdy’s chances of playing an NFL snap this season were minimal, and his chance of actually starting a game?
Even less.
Now, rookie Purdy has found himself leading the 49ers to a ten-game win streak heading into the playoffs, and will likely leave the 49ers with a difficult quarterback decision to make heading into the 2023 season.
Both Hutchinson and Purdy have found great success in their rookie seasons, even though they have encountered very different paths in doing so.
We will have to wait until next season to see more of Hutchinson, but for now, let’s sit back, and enjoy the Purdy show.
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