San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York recently spoke to reporters and was asked whether Brock Purdy is a top-10 NFL quarterback.
"I think he is. I think he's great," York replied.
However, he added a caveat: "Especially when you combine him with [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] and you combine him with what we have."
It probably wasn't the ringing endorsement Purdy's agent, currently negotiating a contract extension for his client, was hoping to hear.
Purdy had a record-breaking 2023 campaign surrounded by elite playmakers. But in 2024, injuries decimated the roster, key contributors were lost, and Purdy's performance took a hit. The 49ers finished with just six wins, and while the team is aiming for a bounce-back season in 2025, much of that hinges on Purdy's ability to carry a roster that's been thinned out during the offseason.
Dan Patrick was recently asked if Purdy, now entering his fourth NFL season, is likely to get better or worse. His answer won't inspire much confidence in fans who value his opinion.
"Worse," Patrick said. "Got rid of Deebo [Samuel]. I think they put themselves in salary cap hell with Brandon Aiyuk's contract—that they can't trade him. How much longer does [Trent] Williams play? George Kittle, how long does he play? [Christian] McCaffrey, how long does he play?
"And then, you've got to go out and find those guys. You have to find those guys, and you also have a quarterback making $55 million a year."
Dan Patrick was asked if Brock Purdy's career, from this point on, will get better or worse:
"Worse. Got rid of Deebo. I think they put themselves in salary cap hell with Brandon Aiyuk's contract. How much longer does Williams play? George Kittle, how long does he play?… pic.twitter.com/5tmASmoWB4
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) April 2, 2025
Patrick made it clear he believes Purdy's eventual mega-deal will hamstring the 49ers financially, and that Purdy isn't the kind of quarterback who can consistently elevate a depleted roster.
He also cited a scouting source who questioned Purdy's ability to throw outside the numbers.
"That's not his strength, and you have to be able to make those throws," Patrick said. "Now, if you don't have those receivers who can create some separation, that makes it a lot more difficult for Brock Purdy to lead your team.
"If McCaffrey is not McCaffrey, now, you don't have that safety valve there. Is your defense going to be formidable?"
Despite the criticism, Patrick believes the 49ers will reward Purdy with a lucrative extension, especially considering he helped salvage the team after the costly mistake of surrendering significant draft capital to trade up for Trey Lance in 2021. Lance lasted just two seasons in San Francisco before being dealt to the Cowboys.
"He deserves to get paid," Patrick acknowledged. "But he might be in that Dak Prescott mode of, 'He's a good player. Do I want him as my franchise quarterback?' That's where it's open to interpretation.
"He might be a Kirk Cousins kind of quarterback or Andy Dalton kind of quarterback, where you throw for 250 touchdown passes in your career, you make the playoffs a few times, you go to a Super Bowl. Although Dalton and Kirk didn't, but maybe that's the kind of quarterback he's going to be."
H/t to Nick San Miguel of Niner Noise for the find.