You’ve probably heard that Sunday’s game between the Buccaneers and 49ers will feature Tom Brady, 45, the greatest quarterback of all time, against 22-year-old rookie Brock Purdy, the last pick (aka Mr. Irrelevant) in the 2022 NFL Draft.
It’s the most lopsided QB game on paper in NFL history, from stats to career earnings, and possibly even Twitter followers and retirements. In case you didn’t know, we don’t always take ourselves too seriously here, so let’s dive into this wacky history of the tape. Enjoy the ride!
The basics
|
Tom Brady |
45 |
23rd |
6’4″ |
225 |
Michigan |
2000 (6th round, 199th overall) |
|
Brock Purdy |
22 |
1st |
6’1″ |
220 |
Iowa State |
2022 (7th round, 262nd overall) |
Purdy is 22 years old and was born on December 27, 1999, giving him five days to go until he is the first quarterback born in the 2000s to face Tom Brady. That honor will have to wait. He was still just three months old when Brady was drafted 199th overall in 2000, making it the biggest age gap in a QB starting game in NFL history, with Brady being 45.
Scouting reports on both quarterbacks praised their presence in the pocket with concerns over arm strength.
Here’s ESPN’s Mel Kiper scouting report on Brady in 2000:
“He’s a direct passer who stands straight in the pocket, doesn’t show nervous feet and does a good job throughout his progressions.”
Our very own Chris Trapasso wrote this in his preliminary scouting report on Purdy.
“Surprisingly athletic contraction…will elude some defenders with his direction-changing ability…shows good pocket movement abilities…preemptive throwing ability masks some of his arm strength shortcomings.”
Purdy doesn’t have an immortalized NFL Scouting Combine photo as Brady, but as Mr. Irrelevant he can draw inspiration from Brady’s success as a sixth-round pick in 2000. The two were unknowns entering the the league, so if Brady could win a Super Bowl in his first year as a starter without anyone giving him a chance, then you can’t rule out Purdy taking this loaded San Francisco team on a title run. If Purdy could somehow pull this off, it might even top Brady’s underdog story and be a 30 for 30 movie that writes itself.
Perhaps my favorite nugget about this game: Brady started against a quarterback in 35 different draft classes, from Doug Flutie in 1985 to Purdy in 2022. Flutie (11th round, 285th overall pick in 1985) is actually the lowest drafted QB Brady has ever faced, not Purdy.
Career numbers
There’s a little disparity here, but Purdy can close the gap on Sunday (laughs). Brady is the NFL’s all-time leader in wins, touchdown passes and passing yards, among other categories. If Purdy throws two touchdowns every game like he did in Week 13, he could overtake Brady in 2040. Let’s not forget, though, that Purdy has never lost. Sure, he never started a game, but let’s not let the facts get in the way of a good rating. He has 204 fewer interceptions than Brady and has been sacked 558 fewer times. He also has one less pension.
|
Tom Brady |
23 |
330 |
249-79 |
87,852 |
640 |
206 |
97.3 |
|
Brock Purdy |
1 |
4 |
0-0 |
276 |
2 |
2 |
76.0 |
Playoff numbers
Brady has won 35 playoff games in his career, as many as the 49ers franchise in their history. It’s also 35 more wins than Purdy, who will likely be counted on if San Francisco makes the playoffs, with Jimmy Garoppolo’s playoff availability unlikely. Brady also has 12 more playoff losses and three more Super Bowl losses than Purdy, so it’s not all bleak!
|
Tom Brady |
35-12 |
seven |
5 |
86 |
39 |
90.4 |
|
Brock Purdy |
0-0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Career earnings
Brady earned $333 million during his NFL career, not counting endorsements, the most in league history. Purdy has yet to earn his first million. Brady’s game check this year ($882,000) is more than Purdy has made in his career so far ($782,000).
Purdy has an advantage here, however. Thanks to inflation, his first contract, a four-year contract worth $3.7 million, is bigger than Brady’s first contract from 2000 to 2002, which was a three-year contract. worth $867,000.
|
Career earnings |
$333.0 million |
$782,000 |
|
On-going contract |
1 year/$15M |
4 years/$3.7M |
|
salary 2022 |
$15 million |
$782,000 |
|
2022 per match salary |
$882,000 |
$46,000 |
Goofs
- Tom Brady: Forgot what happened in 2020 Bears loss
- Brock Purdy: Put the ball the wrong way in Week 11
Purdy’s career didn’t get off to a great start after turning the ball the wrong way in the Week 11 “Monday Night Football” cleanup, like Brady in 2020. And Purdy’s blooper is now a footnote footnote compared to the fact that he is the starting quarterback for the 49ers.
Fun facts
Some additional facts for the road. Purdy can become the first QB to beat Tom Brady in his first career start (he’s the seventh to have a chance).
Brady literally rewrote the record books. Tom Brady is mentioned 232 times in the 2022 NFL Fact and Record Book. Brock Purdy is mentioned once, for being the 2022 49ers 7th round pick.
- DNFs: 1 (Brady), 0 (Purdy)
- Career earnings: $333,000 (Brady), $782,000 (Purdy)
- Twitter followers: 2.9 million (Brady), 25.5K (Purdy)
- NFL Fact and Record Book mentions: 232 (Brady), 1 (Purdy)
- Hometown: San Mateo, CA (Brady), Gilbert, Arizona (Purdy)
- Childhood Idol: Joe Montana (Brady), Dan Marino (Purdy)
