Brock Purdy didn’t have the season he-or the 49ers-initially envisioned, but when he was on the field, he reminded everyone why he’s one of the most efficient young quarterbacks in the league. Despite a nagging toe injury that sidelined him for eight games, Purdy still did enough to earn a spot at No. 81 on Pro Football Focus’ annual Top 101 list, which highlights the best individual performances across the NFL.
Let’s unpack that a bit. In just nine regular-season starts, Purdy completed 69.4% of his passes for 2,167 yards, tossing 20 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. Those numbers don’t just speak to productivity-they reflect the kind of poise and command you want from your quarterback, especially in a season where everything didn’t go according to plan.
Purdy’s efficiency wasn’t lost on the film grinders at PFF. His 82.6 passing grade ranked sixth among all quarterbacks, and his 75.7 rushing grade came in eighth.
That’s not just solid-it’s elite territory, especially for a guy who spent nearly half the season watching from the sidelines. What’s more, he was surgical when operating in rhythm.
On plays where he got the ball out in under 2.5 seconds, Purdy posted an 87.7 overall grade-fifth-best in the league-and a 118.6 passer rating, which ranked third. That quick-trigger efficiency is a hallmark of high-level quarterbacking, and it’s a big reason the 49ers stayed afloat.
The injury bug bit early. Purdy first tweaked his toe in Week 1, which forced him out of the next two games.
He tried to gut it out in Week 4, but the injury flared up again, and it wasn’t until Week 11 that he returned to the starting lineup. In his absence, Mac Jones held down the fort and kept San Francisco in the playoff picture.
But once Purdy came back, the 49ers caught fire-ripping off six straight wins and riding that momentum into the postseason before falling to the Seahawks in the divisional round.
Looking back, Purdy seems to have found some silver lining in the time off. Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show during Super Bowl week, he said, “I thought it was pretty good for me to sit back.
Obviously, I wanted to be out there to help my team win. But when I did come back, it was like the chip's back on the shoulder, man.”
That chip showed. Purdy’s return gave the 49ers a jolt, and his play down the stretch was a reminder of what he brings to the table: accuracy, quick decision-making, and a calm presence under pressure.
He was the only 49ers player to crack the PFF Top 101 list so far, and he ranked ahead of some notable names-including Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (No. 99) and newly crowned Super Bowl LX champ Sam Darnold of the Seahawks (No. 93).
Now, with a full offseason ahead and a chance to finally get healthy, Purdy will be looking to build on what he started. The 49ers, too, will be hoping for a cleaner bill of health across the board. If that happens-and if Purdy picks up where he left off-don’t be surprised to see him much higher on next year’s list.