The 49ers blowout loss to the Chiefs on Sunday featured an obscure piece of NFL history. Quarterback Brock Purdy entered the game late for San Francisco and completed his first pass – a 20-yard strike to wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud. The completion was the first ever by a player picked last in the NFL draft.
Buy 49ers TicketsThe fact Purdy was in the game at all as a QB picked last in the draft is pretty remarkable. Since 1936 seven quarterbacks have been Mr. Irrelevant. Only one of them, Chad Kelly for the Broncos in 2018, had ever even played in a regular season game. All Kelly tallied was a rush for negative-one yard.
Purdy, who went to the 49ers with the final pick in this year’s draft, won the QB3 job over veteran Nate Sudfeld in camp. He was promoted to the backup QB spot when starter Trey Lance went down and backup Jimmy Garoppolo had to step in as the starter.
Sunday’s game got out of hand late, which is why Purdy entered. He completed four of his nine throws for 66 yards with an interception.
