Brock Purdy is excited for homecoming game vs. Cardinals in Week 15

An Arizona native, Brock Purdy is looking forward to playing in front of the home crowd when the 49ers visit the Cardinals this Sunday.

During his first-ever NFL start, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy wholly spoiled a homecoming game for the GOAT, then-Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, who was coming home to the Bay Area in a rare trip to play in front of the crowd from where he grew up.

Brady was at the end of his career, while Purdy was at the very beginning. It was quite the story, especially because Purdy ended up being the first quarterback in history to beat Brady while making his first start.

A year later, Purdy is about to engage in his own homecoming of sorts when the Niners travel to take on the 3-10 Arizona Cardinals.

Just like those rare times when Brady would face off against San Francisco, Purdy, who grew up just outside of Phoenix, Arizona in the suburb of Gilbert, will now get the chance to perform in front of what he could consider a "home" crowd.

Brock Purdy to make first NFL start at State Farm Stadium

Purdy has played at State Farm Stadium, home of the Cardinals, before. And he's also seen a road game against Arizona, too.

But there are caveats.

Back when Purdy was playing out in Glendale, he was still at Iowa State and helped lead the Cyclones to victory over the University of Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl back in 2021.

The 49ers' road game against the Cardinals last season was in Mexico City, Mexico, and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was still the starter.

So, as far as NFL games in Arizona against the Cardinals, Sunday will be a first.

"I've got some family and friends [coming to the game], so I have to look clean," Purdy told the team's website. "I'm excited to have my family, my friends, people in my life just growing up, to be there. It should be fun."

Purdy, who owns a 3-0 record against his boyhood team and currently leads the NFL in completion percentage (70.2), passer rating (116.9) and yards per attempt (9.9), is looking to help the Niners retain their hold on the No. 1 seed in the conference's playoff picture while getting to 11-3 on the season.

The two NFC West squads kick off on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 4:05 p.m. ET.

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