​Despite his steady success since taking charge of the 49ers’ offense, Brock Purdy still isn’t widely regarded as one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. That assessment comes from ESPN’s top-10 quarterback ranking, which Jeremy Fowler compiled after surveying NFL executives, coaches, and scouts. Purdy, who endured eight regular-season games missed in 2025 due to injury, did not crack the top 10 this year. He did, however, earn honorable mention status. One NFC executive singled him out for possessing two notable “superpowers,” saying, “He has got two superpowers. Layering the ball and short-area quickness to stay alive. He’s elite in those two areas.”
Purdy’s ability to layer passes—delivering the ball over linebackers and in front of safeties—has become a crucial asset within Kyle Shanahan’s offense, which emphasizes intermediate throws across the middle. While his arm strength may not match that of several top-10 quarterbacks, Purdy’s touch and accuracy on layered throws have been a major factor in the improved efficiency of the 49ers’ passing game since he stepped into the starting role in 2022. His knack for precise short-area throws helps raise both the floor and the ceiling of the offense, extending drives and sustaining production.
His athletic gifts aren’t on par with the league’s supreme athletes like Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen, but Purdy’s ability to create opportunities by escaping pressure and extending plays with his legs has added a valuable dynamic to the 49ers’ attack. San Francisco originally hoped to land an Allen-like impact when they drafted Trey Lance in 2021, yet Purdy’s combination of passing prowess and off-platform rushing has helped mitigate that outcome and keep the offense humming.
San Francisco doesn’t boast a quarterback with top-tier athletic supremacy, but Purdy’s blend of traits—two standout “superpowers,” plus solid processing and a willingness to push the ball deep when appropriate—provides the ideal fit for Shanahan’s schematic approach. He operates comfortably within the structure of the offense while also finding ways to preserve efficiency when plays break down. Although he may not possess the dazzling traits of the game’s traditionally recognized elite passers, Purdy’s skill set, combined with Shanahan’s play-calling mastery, gives the 49ers confidence heading into 2026 that their offense will remain among the league’s best.
Looking ahead, Purdy’s continued development and the surrounding talent will determine how consistently he can thread those layered throws and exploit the space created by Shanahan’s scheme. The surrounding pieces, from the receiving corps to the running game and offensive line, will influence how often Purdy can operate at peak efficiency. If he maintains his accuracy on layered, intermediate routes and continues to convert under pressure with quick decision-making, Purdy could further solidify his role as a high-end contributor within an offense that has proven to elevate quarterbacks who master the system. In the end, Purdy’s value lies not only in his flashes of improvisation or his ability to escape sacks but in his consistency within a demanding and intricate scheme that rewards decisiveness, anticipation, and precise ball placement. As the 2026 season approaches, the 49ers have reason to feel confident that Purdy’s blend of technique and improvisational skill will keep them among the league’s most productive offenses.