San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is entering 2023 as the franchise's starter for the first time in his career.
An injury-hit season for the 49ers gave Purdy a chance to impress, and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
DAZN takes a look at Purdy's short career to date.
From Mr. Irrelevant to relevant
Purdy was the 2022 NFL Draft's Mr. Irrelevant — the name given to the player selected with the very last pick.
As last season started, the 23-year-old was third on the depth chart behind Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo.
However, a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2 for Lance and a foot injury to Garoppolo in Week 13 saw Purdy thrust into the limelight.
Records fall in first season
From Purdy's very first game as the starter, he began breaking records.
A 35-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers saw Purdy become the first quarterback to beat Tom Brady in his first game as an NFL starting QB.
Another impressive performance the following week, Purdy became just the second player in NFL history, after Aaron Rodgers, to record a combined quarterback rating over 115 in his first two starts.
That win came against the Seattle Seahawks, who the 49ers met in the playoffs. Purdy came out on top again in the postseason, throwing four touchdowns which is the most by a rookie in a playoff game.
In doing so, Purdy also became the lowest-drafted quarterback to start and win a playoff game.
Fairytale story ended by injury
After Seattle came the Dallas Cowboys who once again Purdy steered the 49ers past to record his seventh win in seven games as a starter.
But the dream run came to an end in the NFC Championship match as Purdy injured his right elbow and had to be replaced. He re-entered the game later on after back-up Josh Johnson suffered a concussion but he only attempted two more passes.
Scans after the game revealed Purdy had torn his ulnar collateral ligament.
Winning the starting job
Purdy recovered from the UCL injury this offseason and entered camp competing against Lance and Sam Darnold for the starting job in 2023.
Lance was subsequently traded to the Cowboys while Purdy proved the obvious choice ahead of veteran Darnold.
The Iowa State product has yet to lose a regular season game as a starter, and he will look to keep that run going in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.