The NFL officially passed a new rule today allowing all teams to dress a third quarterback as an extra active player for games.
This proposed change has been discussed among fans and media for a while now, but the push to implement it truly seemed to begin in earnest following the NFC Championship Game in January.
That afternoon, the San Francisco 49ers were forced to finish the game with running back Christian McCaffrey playing quarterback after injuries to Brock Purdy and Josh Johnson.
Purdy originally began the season as San Francisco’s No. 3 QB before Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo got hurt. Now, this new rule should be named after him, in the eyes of many.
“The Brock Purdy Rule!” tweeted Bill Simmons on Monday afternoon.
The Brock Purdy Rule! https://t.co/uPCWllQlsR
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 22, 2023
“The ‘Brock Purdy’ rule is now approved. Likely means the #49ers will get to carry Purdy, Lance and [Sam] Darnold on the active game-day roster,” said 49ers writer Akash Anavarathan.
The “Brock Purdy” rule is now approved.
Likely means the #49ers will get to carry Purdy, Lance and Darnold on the active game-day roster. https://t.co/Dc5N5jIm4G
— Akash Anavarathan (@akashanav) May 22, 2023
“Now known as the #BrockPurdy @49ers rule,” added Pro Football Doc David Chao.
Now known as the #BrockPurdy @49ers rule https://t.co/5ktrKlJeKU
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) May 22, 2023
Purdy is currently recovering from offseason elbow surgery to repair the UCL he injured in the NFC title game loss to Philly.
This rule is a good one overall, because even if a team doesn’t stand much of a chance of winning with its third-string quarterback forced into action mid-game, it still beats them having to play with a punter or wide receiver or running back taking snaps.