San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was one of the biggest out-of-nowhere stars from the 2022 campaign, and the latest NFL rumors suggest that the former seventh-round pick will be ready for the start of the 2023 season. In other news, Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton is improving as a player and a leader, while Saints quarterback Derek Carr spoke out about his former team.
NFL Rumors: Brock Purdy, Kyle Hamilton, Derek Carr
Brock Purdy on Pace For Week 1
The San Francisco 49ers have one of the best rosters in football, but they have a major question mark at the quarterback position. Fortunately, it appears as though second-year passer Brock Purdy is on pace to be the Week 1 starter.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the former seventh-round pick is heading to Jacksonville to work with orthopedic specialist Tom Gormely and quarterbacks coach Will Hewlett. NFL Network’s Nick Shook, relaying Pelissero’s report, notes that this is “another sign Purdy is progressing through his rehabilitation following elbow surgery and remains on track to be ready for the 2023 season.”
After starting the 2022 season as the third man on the depth chart, Brock Purdy emerged as San Francisco’s starter after injury sidelined Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo. The rookie seventh-round pick played well down the stretch, guiding the 49ers all the way to the NFC Championship Game before suffering a season-ending elbow injury.
Kyle Hamilton Wants to Be A Leader in Year 2
Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton played up to his first-round draft status as a rookie, but the Notre Dame product believes this is just the beginning. Speaking to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, Hamilton talked about how he’s focused on improving both as a player and a leader in Year 2.
“I would say I’m communicating a lot more, just having a year in the defense,” Hamilton said. “Playing-wise, I feel like I’m a lot more confident in my technique. I try and stay as consistent as possible with it. Overall, I’m just more confident.” Hamilton also added later that he hopes “to emerge as a leader” now that he has some experience in Baltimore’s system.
Prior to the 2022 NFL Draft, various analysts believed that Hamilton could be a top-five pick. The prospect fell all the way to the middle of the first and soon proved that the media analysts were correct in their assessment of his abilities. Hamilton finished the 2022 season with the highest PFF grade among all eligible safeties. If he continues to improve, the sky is the limit.
Kyle Hamilton’s length is something ELSE 👀 pic.twitter.com/tyTPaif20S
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) November 3, 2022
Derek Carr Wishes His Former Teammates Well
After spending the past decade with the Las Vegas Raiders, Derek Carr has a new home with the New Orleans Saints. However, despite the unceremonious end to his tenure with the silver and black, the quarterback says that he is still rooting for his old organization.
“I have so many friends over there,” Carr said during a foundation event. “I want them to succeed. I want Jimmy [Garoppolo] to be healthy. I want him to play great, because that helps Davante [Adams]. It helps Maxx [Crosby], Josh Jacobs. It helps all my friends, Kolton [Miller], Andre [James]. I’m going to stop naming names because someone will get upset, but all my friends over there, I just want them to have success. That’s all I was ever trying to do is give my best so they could win.”
This is a class move by Carr, as nobody would blame him for holding a grudge against his former team. After a decade of playing on some less-than-stellar rosters, first-year head coach Josh McDaniels benched the quarterback during the final weeks of the 2022 season and unceremoniously released him in the offseason. Since then, he signed with the New Orleans Saints and is now leading the NFC South frontrunner.
Main Photo: Bill Streicher – USA Today Sports
