49ers roster 2023: Everyone says Brock Purdy is the 'real deal,' but is he?

Brock Purdy came out of nowhere last season to help the 49ers get to the NFC Championship game. Entering 2023, can he back up last year's success?

Look, there isn't much needed to introduce the San Francisco 49ers' fanbase to quarterback Brock Purdy.

Yes, Purdy hailed from Iowa State and was the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, otherwise crowned as "Mr. Irrelevant," and that might have been his biggest claim to fame if it weren't for unimaginable success after relieving Niners quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 13 last season when Jimmy G suffered what ended up being a season-ending ankle injury.

Riding a 5-0 regular-season record, then helping beat both the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs, Purdy earned the right to be head coach Kyle Shanahan's starter going forward.

Even if Purdy suffered that torn UCL in his throwing elbow during the NFC Championship game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Perhaps that's where Purdy's story should begin moving forward. That injury and subsequent recovery were supposed to keep the quarterback out until the start of the regular season, potentially jeopardizing his ability to start in Week 1.

But Purdy made it back in time for training camp, pushing fellow quarterbacks Trey Lance and Sam Darnold behind him on the depth chart.

That's all fine and grand. But, as is the case with any player in a similar context as that of Purdy, the true test will be what's to come and whether or not he can back up his 2022 successes.

Is he deserving of all the hype, though? Let's take a look.