NFL legend Jerry Rice predicts 'exceptional' season for 49ers, believes emergency QB rule will help team

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The San Francisco 49ers have made three NFC Championship appearances, advancing to one Super Bowl, in the last four seasons. Last year, injuries hampered the Niners' chances, but NFL legend and Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice believes this year’s team – from the top down – is the complete package.

Rice, 60, told Fox News Digital in an interview that he expects San Francisco to have an "exceptional season" this year and predicts that the NFL’s newly approved emergency third quarterback rule will greatly benefit the team that ultimately inspired the change.

NFL Hall of Famer and former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice catches a ball prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on January 8, 2023, in Santa Clara, California. (Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)

"You know that was something that we had back in the day, and we could've used that last year during that championship game," Rice said. "To see Brock (Purdy) go down, then see our backup go down and not have a quarterback, it was very frustrating. But I think it's going to be helpful with three quarterbacks now."

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Purdy, the final draft pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, became San Francisco’s unsuspecting savior.

After being named the third-stringer behind Jimmy Garoppolo, who led the 49ers to Super Bowl LIV in his first full season as a starter, and Trey Lance, who was named the 2022 starting quarterback after a big investment from the organization, Purdy was called into action after both players were ruled out with season-ending injuries.

San Francisco 49ers