Why Brock Purdy is finally getting the respect he deserves in NFL QB rankings

For years, Brock Purdy has been one of the NFL’s most polarizing quarterbacks.

Whether it was skepticism surrounding his status as the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft or questions about how much of his success was simply a product of Kyle Shanahan’s offense, Purdy has faced constant debate.

According to The Athletic’s Mike Sando, that conversation has finally started to settle.

Appearing on Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys after releasing his annual NFL quarterback tiers, Sando said Purdy’s placement—tied for 11th overall alongside Chicago Bears star Caleb Williams—feels like an accurate reflection of where league evaluators view the 49ers quarterback today.

“It does to me,” Sando said. “When you come in, and you’re the last pick in the draft, and then on top of that, you are going to a place where Kyle Shanahan does a great job. There’s a built-in advantage with the system that Shanahan has.”

Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with Head coach Kyle Shanahan after defeating the Detroit Lions 34-31 in the NFC Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

More on 49ers QB Brock Purdy

Sando acknowledged Shanahan’s offense has consistently elevated quarterback play, even pointing to Jimmy Garoppolo’s remarkable career yards-per-attempt numbers as evidence of the system’s effectiveness.

“So Brock Purdy has benefited from that,” Sando said. “But when you have enough high-level production over a period of time of years, you’re going to get your due. It just may take a little bit longer for you to get it.”

While Purdy once drew frequent comparisons to Garoppolo, Sando believes that debate is essentially over around the league.

“I’d be surprised if somebody said they still had Garoppolo higher,” Sando said. “Brock Purdy sees the game faster than Jimmy Garoppolo did, and he’s better on the anticipation throws.”

Sando also shared one of his favorite anonymous scouting evaluations from this year’s quarterback survey.

“I thought one of the great quotes in there from a voter was, ‘He’s faster than you think. He’s stronger than you think. He’s better than you think. He talks more junk than you think.’ He’s just more than he’s been advertised.”

Beyond Brock Purdy, Sando believes the NFL is entering a transition period at quarterback rather than another golden era.

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 24: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Levi’s Stadium on November 24, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thien-An Truong/Getty Images)

“I think the golden age really was when we had Brady, Brees, Rodgers in their primes,” Sando said. “What’s going on now is there’s a lot of young guys. There’s a lot of young quarterbacks.”

He pointed to players like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels as the next wave, while noting reclamation projects such as Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield have found success in better situations.

For the 49ers, however, Sando believes the biggest question has already been answered. After several seasons of proving himself, Purdy has finally reached a point where NFL coaches and executives largely agree on exactly what he is—a legitimate franchise quarterback who has earned his place among the league’s upper tier.

Check out the full conversation at the top of this page or by visiting the Sactown Sports YouTube page.

Listen to The Drive Guys from 2 – 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

Click here for full episodes of The Drive Guys.

More 49ers content from Sactown Sports

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• Nick Bosa ranked among top-five edge rushers on Madden 27
• 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan corrects record, says crash was his fault
• 49ers DC Raheem Morris raves about Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw & Nick Bosa
• Brock Purdy calls throwing to Mike Evans ‘surreal’ as 49ers begin Training Camp

Upcoming San Francisco 49ers Schedule

Preseason

• Thursday, August 13th – vs. Tennessee Titans – 6:00 pm PT
• Thursday, August 20th – @ Los Angeles Chargers – 7:00 pm PT
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Regular Season

• Thursday, September 10th – vs. Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia (Season Opener) – 5:35 pm PT
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