5 rookies to beat Tom Brady feat. Brock Purdy

Brock Purdy leading the San Francisco 49ers to a victory over Tom Brady was a huge shock, but he joins a select list of rookies who have defeated the GOAT.

In truth, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were barely involved in the 35-7 defeat on Sunday evening, but the highlight of the night was Purdy.

Picked as Mr. Irrelevant in 2022, Purdy didn’t expect to see any NFL reps this season.

He has since watched Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo go down with injuries and he has taken his chance expertly.

While it’s too early to suggest this is akin to a Tom Brady/Drew Bledsoe situation, defeating the greatest quarterback to ever live should always be seen as an achievement, not least when you are only a rookie yourself.

This is an honor that very few starting QBs can claim to have, with the list unlikely to get much longer given the fact Brady is perhaps entering the final games of his distinguished career.

But just who are 5 noteworthy rookies who have beaten Tom Brady in their debut year?

5. Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers (2004)

Rookie Big Ben would notch up 15 regular season wins

While somewhat of a sideshow in the 2004 NFL Draft due to the drama involving Eli Manning and the San Diego Chargers, Big Ben would enjoy a fabulous rookie season.

Not only did he immediately settle into life with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he also finished the regular season with a 15-1 record.

While a Super Bowl appearance eluded the young quarterback, he did manage to record a victory over a younger Tom Brady, who was rapidly approaching his own prime.

In a Week 8 match-up, the New England Patriots would lose their 21-game winning streak as Ben Roethlisberger played a perfect game.

He threw for 196 yards and had a QB rating of 126.4. He threw two touchdown passes and totally outclassed Brady, who threw two interceptions on the day.

4. Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks (2012)

Russell Wilson enjoyed a memorable rookie season

Russell Wilson was forced to live through one of his most painful moments when he lost a Super Bowl to Tom Brady and the Patriots, but he was first able to enjoy a rookie win over Tom Terrific.

By this point, in 2012, TB12 had established himself as one of the greatest players the NFL had ever seen.

Of course, his legacy had yet to be bolstered by further Super Bowl wins, but a win for rookie Wilson would do a lot for his reputation.

People need to remember just what a surprise Russell Wilson’s success was. He was an undersized QB taken in the third round of the draft.

However, he found a place to thrive in Seattle and came out on top in a Week 6 nailbiter against the Pats.

The rookie completed 16 of 27 passes for 293 yards and three touchdowns, without a single interception.

However, it could be argued that the Seahawks rode their luck in the 24-23 win as Tom Brady played well.

He threw the ball 58 times that evening, completing 36 passes for 395 yards. He threw two touchdown passes, but also two interceptions.

3. Geno Smith – New York Jets (2013)

A rookie win over Tom Brady was the highlight of an awful New York Jets career for Geno Smith

Geno Smith’s career renaissance in Seattle has been one of 2022’s best stories, yet there has been a lot of water under the bridge since his rookie year in New York.

Taking on the unenviable position as the starting quarterback for the New York Jets, Smith found life very difficult. He made a lot of mistakes and could never really gel with his team.

The undoubted high point was when he inflicted a defeat on Tom Brady.

It came in overtime of a Week 7 clash with the Patriots, which is a huge divisional rivalry.

Rarely did the Jets beat the Patriots during the TB12 era, so this was a notable moment that made fans hope that Geno could turn things around.

It wasn’t a close contest when it came to the quarterbacks as Geno Smith outperformed his opposite number.

Smith threw 33 passes, completing 17 of them for 233 yards and one touchdown. Brady couldn’t answer this as he was completely shut out in the air, not completing a single TD pass. He threw 46 in total and completed 22 for 228 yards, but threw one interception.

2. Kenny Pickett – Pittsburgh Steelers (2022)

Kenny Pickett inflicted the first rookie defeat of Brady's 2022 season

Kenny Pickett was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers to replace Ben Roethlisberger in the 2022 draft.

While he was not an immediate starter for Mike Tomlin, Pickett was in place on the field as the Steelers battled the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6.

With both teams having poor starts, this was a chance for someone to get their season back on track.

Nobody expected Pickett to be able to slay the giant that is Tom Brady, but that is exactly what happened as the Bucs offense faltered yet again.

The Steelers won 20-18, although Pickett was forced to leave the game with a concussion.

Tom Terrific threw 25 completions for 243 yards and scored one touchdown. Pickett was able to throw 18 passes in total with 11 completions.

His contribution was only 67 yards, but he threw a touchdown pass which decided the result. It may not have been a complete performance, but Pickett is credited with a rookie win over Tom Brady.

1. Brock Purdy – San Francisco 49ers (2022)

Brock Purdy may well prove to be the last ever rookie to defeat Tom Brady

Perhaps the most dominant victory on this list is also the most recent. Brady had a night to forget against Brock Purdy and the 49ers, with many speculating that the 35-7 win could kickstart Purdy’s own legend.

While this will not be known for a long time, Purdy’s performance was nevertheless sensational.

Of course, he was supported by a strong top-three defense, but still threw 21 passes with 16 completions. His two touchdown passes and tally of 185 yards was enough to emerge comfortably victorious.

It would be wrong to say Purdy outclassed Brady because the veteran is playing with a weak offense in 2022, but he still managed to complete 34 of 55 passes for 253 yards.

His singular TD pass was the Buccaneers’ only score of the game, as the lack of a running game put too much pressure on the GOAT.

Everything Purdy tried came off. It was just one of those magical nights for him, which are rare for rookie quarterbacks.

What happens in the rest of his career is unclear, but he will always be able to say that he defeated the legendary Tom Brady in his first ever NFL start. Nobody else can say that.