Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports recently evaluated and ranked every NFL team's starting quarterback. San Francisco 49ers fans will be delighted to learn that Brock Purdy, the team's third-year signal-caller, came in at No. 2, with only Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs ranked higher.
While Purdy has enjoyed significant success in his brief career, doubters still seek to diminish his accomplishments, arguing that the 24-year-old quarterback benefits more from a talented supporting cast and head coach Kyle Shanahan's system than from skill.
Benjamin's ranking of Purdy seems to contradict that narrative.
"Let's give the kid the respect he deserves," Benjamin wrote. "Two seasons, two NFC title games, one valiant Super Bowl effort. Does he have a sterling setup in San Francisco? Yep. Does he operate like a 10-year vet, managing the pocket as both an efficient and mobile gunslinger? Also yep."
Purdy has guided the 49ers to two NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance in his two NFL seasons. In 2023, the quarterback set a single-season franchise record with 4,280 passing yards.
49ers legend John Taylor recently discussed Purdy, taking exception to the quarterback's detractors. He reflected on the two Hall of Fame quarterbacks he played with over his illustrious career—Joe Montana and Steve Young.
"If Joe didn't have the group that he had, Joe wouldn't have been Joe," Taylor asserted. "If Steve didn't have the group that he had, Steve wouldn't have been Steve. I've never seen one of those two quarterbacks block for himself, hike the ball to himself, throw the ball to himself and go catch it.
"But they always say, 'Oh, if he didn't have the surrounding party.' Well, that's how teams win. That's how championships are made—of all different parts, not just one person."
