Poker face and killer instinct? 49ers teammates open up about Brock Purdy's demeanor

When Brock Purdy stepped into the huddle as a rookie in December 2022, he wasn't just filling in—he was taking over as the starting quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers. Despite being the last overall pick in the draft, Purdy carried himself like a seasoned veteran, earning instant respect from his teammates.

On the field, Purdy's composure stands out. No matter the situation, the young quarterback keeps the same calm demeanor before every snap, something veteran left tackle Trent Williams noticed right away.

"You don't know what's going on—his poker face is super strong," veteran tackle Trent Williams said Thursday on Bay Area radio station KNBR. "He's never showing any anxiety, he's never showing any anxiousness. He's always that stoic leader that we kind of need to control the huddle."

However, Williams revealed that Purdy isn't always stoic away from football. There's one topic that lights him up—and it's not the five-year, $265 million contract extension he signed in May.

"But you do see his face light up when you talk about his baby girl," Williams said.

Purdy and his wife, Jenna, recently became first-time parents, and the young quarterback has embraced fatherhood.

"Then he shows some emotion," Williams added. "But talking about the money, the success, he's just locked in. But when you talk about fatherhood, and both of us being girl dads, then you can see the sparkle in his eyes."

Another new father in the locker room is running back Christian McCaffrey, who also joined KNBR on Thursday. Asked what percentage of his conversations with Purdy revolve around fatherhood, McCaffrey laughed.

"It's usually being a dad, and then choice routes," McCaffrey responded. "You kind of go back and forth between those two. The dad talk quickly goes into routes after that."

McCaffrey also praised Purdy's personality and consistency, both on and off the field. However, he admits that the quarterback's mindset has a dangerous—but appreciated—side.

"Nothing changes him," McCaffrey said. "He's been the most consistent, just level-headed guy I've met. Obviously, Brock's an extremely nice guy. I think everybody knows that. He's a sweet human being, but on the field, man, he's a killer. He's competitive as ever, and he wants to win more than anybody. It's a great balance to have."

The 49ers are counting on that competitive edge as they head into the 2025 season, looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 campaign and prove they're still among the NFL's elite contenders.