Brock Purdy’s stock is climbing fast, and FanSided’s latest quarterback rankings show it.
When the 2026 season opened, the conversation around the San Francisco 49ers quarterback was familiar: plenty of people viewed him as the product of Kyle Shanahan’s system and a passer surrounded by top-tier offensive talent. FanSided reflected that skepticism in its preseason rankings, slotting Purdy 15th in the “Strong QB1” group.
That put him behind quarterbacks like the New England Patriots’ Drake Maye, the Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert and the Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott. It looked like another season where Purdy would have to keep answering the same doubts.
Instead, he’s started changing the story himself.
In FanSided’s midseason update, Purdy moved up one tier to Tier 2: High-end QB1. He now sits sixth overall, trailing only the Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams in that group.
He still isn’t being placed alongside the league’s absolute top tier - the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen and the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson remain in a class of their own. As the source material notes, Purdy would probably need a league MVP or two to force his way into that conversation.
But the jump is real, and it’s not just about other quarterbacks slipping. Prescott has regressed slightly, and Herbert has taken a major step back. Even so, the analysts clearly gave Purdy credit for what he’s done over the first half of the season, especially with two of his main receiving weapons, Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel, missing time because of injuries.
The national perception has shifted too. Former Purdy skeptics like FS1’s Colin Cowherd and Nick Wright have changed their tone, moving from harsh criticism to praise.
And the team results back up the rise. The 49ers are 7-1, with marquee wins over the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks, and Purdy played at a high level in both of those games.
In Other News...
49ers Just Added A New Wrinkle To Their Mike Evans Question
The 49ers added another proven pass catcher to their offense, landing Keenan Allen from the Indianapolis Colts for a 2027 sixth-round pick. It is the kind of move that usually signals a team is looking for more stability and more answers in the passing game, and Allen brings plenty of both after a long track record of production.
What makes this one especially interesting in San Francisco is the overlap with Mike Evans, who is still working back from injury. Allen was asked about the history between the two and made it clear the issue is in the rearview mirror, which removes one potential distraction as the 49ers wait for Evans to return and sort out how all the pieces fit together. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Trade Deadline Push For A Star Receiver Went Further Than Fans Knew
The 49ers were active behind the scenes as the trade deadline approached, and their search for help went beyond the usual rumor mill. According to ESPNs Rich Cimini, San Francisco checked in on Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, a sign the team was at least exploring a major swing to bolster its passing game. New York never opened the door to real negotiations, but the inquiry fits the broader picture of a front office looking for impact talent if the right opportunity surfaced.
San Francisco also had its eye on Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack, another move that would have addressed a different need with a proven veteran. Los Angeles never made Mack available, leaving the 49ers to keep working through alternatives, including a possible pivot to Keenan Allen once those earlier avenues stalled. It is the kind of deadline posture that says plenty about the teams ambitions, even if the biggest names never got close to changing uniforms. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Receiver Move Reveals A Bigger Wrinkle In Their Injury Plan
The 49ers latest receiver addition did not come together overnight, and John Lynch said the path to Keenan Allen started with interest in another player before conversations shifted to Allen about two and a half weeks ago. For San Francisco, the move fits a familiar late-season pattern: patching together depth while trying to keep the offense functional, especially with the wide receiver room still dealing with a mix of players coming back and others staying out.
What makes the situation more delicate is the learning curve waiting for Allen once he gets in the building. Lynch and Kyle Shanahan both acknowledged how difficult it can be to absorb the 49ers playbook on the fly, so the team has already added extra meetings to help him get ready for upcoming games. It is the kind of adjustment San Francisco has had to make before, but this one comes with the added pressure of an injury picture that is still shifting around him. [Read more 🡒]