Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers are already well-connected to a rival quarterback within the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks' Sam Darnold, who credited Purdy with helping revitalize his career back when the two were teammates in 2023.
It appears as if Purdy might end up being linked to another Hawks quarterback, albeit in a much more roundabout way.
Seattle selected Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe in Round 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. And while Milroe might not be an immediate challenger to Darnold's current status as the starter, the possibility of a quarterback controversy is certainly there.
Especially if Milroe follows a Purdy-like path, which the rookie appears to be doing quite literally.
Jalen Milroe is trying to copy Brock Purdy
Yes, Milroe enters the pro ranks a bit more high-profile a player in contrast to Purdy, the final pick of the 2022 draft. That said, neither had lofty expectations in year one with "established" starters ahead of them on the depth chart (in Purdy's case, both Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo).
While Milroe would love nothing more than to ascend over Darnold at some point, the on-field work is already beginning to take a Purdy-like shape, too.
"What’s unique about Brock is he played in the same system that I’m in right now," Milroe told FOX Sports. "So, it’s been great to see the tape and see some of our reads and play calls and watching him play.
"He understands his feet are tied into the read and pocket integrity. When he plays on time, that’s when he’s at his best and he’s been most efficient. That’s what I’ve been able to capture as I’ve studied his game."
Of course, it helps to point out Seattle's offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, served as the Niners' passing game coordinator during Purdy's rookie season.
So, from a schematic perspective, Milroe is on point with the comparison.
Now, instead of idolizing quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and others, the Hawks rookie is trying his best to copy Purdy's success.
If Milroe's career trajectory comes close to following that of Purdy, it will have proven to be a good plan.
Hat tip to David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone for the find.