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The NFL season is exactly one month away from its highly anticipated start with the Kansas City Chiefs facing off against the Baltimore Ravens on September 5th. The Chiefs are the reigning champions, while the Ravens had the best record last season at 13-4. In the NFC, three teams shared the top spot with a 12-5 record: the surprising Detroit Lions, "America's Team" Dallas Cowboys, and the Super Bowl runners-up, the San Francisco 49ers.
Offseason Transformation
During the offseason, players often take the time to rest from the grueling season, while others focus on gaining extra muscle to meet the league's demands. This physical transformation was evident in Brock Purdy, the 49ers' quarterback, who was the last pick in the 2022 draft, famously known as "Mr. Irrelevant." In a recent interview discussing his contract, Purdy appeared significantly bulkier with a muscular build akin to Popeye the Sailor. The offseason work with the 49ers' physical trainers has clearly paid off for him over the past five months.
In the interview, Purdy expressed his focus on the season and downplayed concerns about his contract amidst the lucrative deals being signed by other QBs. "For me, it's, that's so far down the road, you know, with my situation and, and for me, it's gotta be, I gotta be present right now right here at camp," he said. Last season, he threw 31 touchdown es, silencing critics with his stellar performance.
49ers: The Team to Beat in the NFC
The challenge for Purdy and the 49ers is significant. Historically, 36 starting quarterbacks have lost in their Super Bowl debut, and of those, only six have managed to return to the big game, none of whom did so this century. This year's starting quarterbacks in a similar situation include Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow,Jared Goff, and Jimmy Garoppolo who lost his Super Bowl with the 49ers. The question remains: can Purdy make it back to the Super Bowl before the others?
Kyle Shanahan has done an extraordinary job in his seven seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, excelling both offensively and defensively. Shanahan has led the team to four NFC Championship games and two Super Bowls, although they have yet to secure a victory. Purdy's youth allows the 49ers to build a strong roster around him before he commands a substantial contract, which would complicate salary cap considerations.