Brock Purdy has been making headlines lately, not just for his ongoing contract negotiations with the San Francisco 49ers, but for a surprising, and funny, comparison that came up during the “Lots to Say” podcast.
Former NFL quarterback Matt Cassel and host Bobby Bones compared Purdy to Hollywood star Timothee Chalamet, and their reasoning was both hilarious and surprisingly on point.
Cassel’s Breakdown of Purdy’s Chalamet Vibe
On the podcast, Cassel explained why he sees the 49ers quarterback and the actor as similar figures. “Small frame, up and coming. Both have proven themselves in some way, but there’s always going to be their doubters because they kind of came out of nowhere,” he said.
The comparison might sound odd at first, but it makes sense when you consider Purdy’s journey. Drafted as the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy wasn’t expected to be a star. But he exceeded all expectations, leading the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game and posting impressive numbers, including a 107.3 passer rating, tops among rookies that season.
Cassel’s point about doubters feels spot on. Like Chalamet, who faced initial skepticism in Hollywood, Purdy has had to battle the “not built for the role” narrative his entire career.
Brock Purdy’s celebrity comp… any guesses? 👀@mrbobbybones & @m_cassel16 landed on the same actor on the “Lots to Say” podcast 🔗 https://t.co/wzxkoT6eVg@iHeartRadio | @iHeartPodcasts pic.twitter.com/1wumfqUfzY
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 5, 2025
Bobby Bones Adds to the Analogy
Bobby Bones couldn’t resist adding his own perspective on the Chalamet-Purdy comparison. “With Timothee Chalamet and Brock Purdy, people constantly are telling them why they are not the person. Not that good. He’s too skinny. ‘Chalamet can’t be in an action movie,’ then he does ‘Dune 2’ and he’s freaking awesome,” Bones said.
The analogy struck a chord as it perfectly captures Purdy’s knack for proving people wrong. Just as Chalamet wowed audiences in a blockbuster action film, Purdy has stepped up under pressure and shown that he belongs on the NFL stage.
Bones’ comment also highlighted the parallels between how the two have been underestimated. For Purdy, the critiques might center on his smaller size for a quarterback and the fact that he wasn’t a first-round draft pick. But, much like Chalamet in “Dune 2”, Purdy’s performances on the field speak for themselves.
A Lighthearted Look at a Serious Moment
The comparison provided a fun, unexpected break from the usual seriousness of contract talks and football analysis. It’s not often that a quarterback gets compared to one of Hollywood’s rising stars, but Cassel and Bones managed to make it work. It also reminded fans that Purdy’s story is still being written.
Whether people see him as “Mr. Irrelevant” or Timothee Chalamet’s NFL comparison, he’s proving his value one play at a time.
For now, Purdy is focused on cementing his future with the 49ers and proving that he’s the team’s long-term answer at quarterback. And who knows? Maybe the next time someone mentions Timothee Chalamet, fans will think of Brock Purdy, and not the other way around.