San Francisco 49ers fans are accustomed to seeing quarterback Brock Purdy undervalued. Despite guiding the team to two NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl in less than two seasons, Purdy is often excluded from discussions about elite quarterbacks.
In his Week 1 NFL QB Index, NFL Media contributor Nick Shook ranked Purdy at No. 13, acknowledging that the placement might seem low.
"This probably seems criminally low for Purdy, a quarterback who went from Mr. Irrelevant to NFC champion in a very short amount of time," Shook wrote. "Most QB compilations ahead of the season will probably include Purdy in the top 10, and that's reasonable."
Shook emphasizes that his ranking of Purdy isn't due to a lack of confidence in the third-year player. The challenge lies in breaking into the top 10, with names like Aaron Rodgers, Justin Herbert, and Joe Burrow on the list. Where does Purdy fit within that group?
Understandably, it's challenging to hand Purdy one of those coveted spots after just one full season. However, it's worth noting that C.J. Stroud landed at No. 4 after only one season, so vast experience isn't a prerequisite.
Shook concedes that Purdy needs to prove he can consistently perform at a high level to climb the rankings.
"Purdy delivered time and time again last season as the quarterback of the NFC's best team, but I'm not yet ready to give him most of the credit for San Francisco's success," Shook continued. "He can change that with another strong season, of course, and will likely move up relatively quickly. For now, this is where he lands."