In the latest installment of The Athletic’s annual NFL quarterback tiers survey conducted by Mike Sando and based on input from 50 coaches and executives, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy landed in a career-best position.
Tied for 11th overall and firmly placed in Tier 2, Purdy’s ranking reflects a rebound from earlier skepticism and underscores how league insiders now view the former Mr. Irrelevant as a reliable, high-end starter capable of sustaining success in a competitive conference.
The survey divides 35 veteran quarterbacks into five tiers, with Tier 1 reserved for the clearest difference-makers. Only four players—Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Matthew Stafford, and Joe Burrow—earned overwhelming support for that top group.
Tier 2 expanded to an unusually large group of 13, creating a crowded middle class that includes established names and rising talents. Purdy’s average tier vote of 2.28 marked his strongest showing since entering the rankings, reclaiming ground lost after a more uneven 2024 campaign and positioning him alongside players such as Caleb Williams.
What stands out in the commentary is the respect Purdy commands for traits that go beyond the system that often draws attention. One head coach cut through the familiar narrative with a direct assessment.
“I think he is better than given credit for,” the coach said. “Kyle (Shanahan) is great, but I think Brock Purdy, he can see it so fast, and he makes quick decisions, and he’s more athletic than you think. Really good player.”
Considering how so many have labeled Purdy a “game manager” over the year, that is certainly a refreshing — and somewhat surprising — take from an NFL head coach.
That perspective aligns with other evaluations highlighting Purdy’s processing speed, ability to extend plays, and surprising physicality. An offensive coordinator praised the way Purdy creates under pressure, noting that he is difficult to sack and thrives in the scramble game.
Defensive voices echoed similar points, describing him as stronger and faster than his frame suggests, with an ability to see the field before the play fully develops.
At the same time, the system conversation persists. Some voters still frame Purdy as a beneficiary of Shanahan’s scheme and supporting talent, pointing to past success by other quarterbacks in the same offense.
Yet even those who place him toward the lower end of Tier 2 acknowledge that he has clearly surpassed predecessors such as Jimmy Garoppolo. Since becoming the full-time starter in 2023, the 49ers’ offense has ranked among the league’s most efficient by expected points added, with Purdy leading the league in EPA per pass play over that span.
Purdy’s placement captures the ongoing debate around him without diminishing the progress he has made. In a league where quarterback evaluation remains subjective and fiercely contested, the consensus of coaches and executives now treats him as a solid Tier 2 performer whose tools and decision-making deserve more recognition than they sometimes receive.
As the 2026 season approaches, that ranking offers a measured validation of the player who continues to prove himself under the brightest lights.
