San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has long been held back by his “Mr. Irrelevant” title over the course of his five-year NFL career. But due to the 49ers 3-0 start to the season, Purdy’s excellent play has garnered the attention of perhaps the greatest quarterback in the history of football.
Purdy has looked career-best to begin the 2026 season, throwing for 789 yards and nine touchdowns with only one interception through the team’s first three games.
Quickly emerging as a potential MVP candidate early on in the 2026 season, Tom Brady was quick to sing Purdy’s praises when discussing the 49ers on a video posted to the Fox Sports YouTube channel of his weekly NFL power rankings.
Not only did Brady pick the 49ers as the No. 1 ranked team in the NFL through the first three weeks of the year. But Brady also believes that Purdy deserves to be acknowledged among the elite quarterbacks in the NFL due to his impressive play.
“They were pretty much unheralded all the way through the offseason,” said Brady of the 49ers. “Because everyone was talking about Seattle and the Rams. But it’s the 49ers at No. 1. Why? Because they are undefeated, we know that. But they have the best point differential in the league. Brock Purdy is playing as well as anybody. Should be considered in the Tier 1 QB discussions. At least he is in my eyes.”
When asked if he really believes that Purdy is truly an elite quarterback in the NFL, Brady did not hesitate to further highlight all of the positive things Purdy has done in 2026.
“It sure looks like it,” said Brady in regards to whether Purdy is an elite quarterback in the NFL. “He is playing within the system. Throwing the ball accurately. No negative plays. Getting his team in and out of the right plays. I love the way he is managing every single game.”
Purdy may not look like the prototypical elite quarterback in the NFL in the modern game. But then again, Brady wasn’t particularly the most overpowering athlete in his own right and accomplished just as much, if not more, than any quarterback to ever play.