San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy made a significant leap last year in The Athletic's annual NFL quarterback tiers ranking, compiled by Mike Sando. Purdy jumped from the fourth tier in 2023 to the second tier in 2024, soaring 13 spots to finish at No. 12 overall among all NFL quarterbacks.
In The Athletic's latest 2025 rankings, Purdy remains in the second tier but slid two spots to No. 14 following a down statistical season and a disappointing 6-11 finish for the 49ers.
The top tier, led by perennial stars Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen last year, welcomed two additions this year—Lamar Jackson and Matthew Stafford.
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Tier two consists of nine quarterbacks, with Purdy ranking last among them. He received seven fewer votes from the 50 NFL coaches and executives surveyed, placing him behind quarterbacks like Jordan Love, Dak Prescott, Baker Mayfield, and Jared Goff.
"He does more on tape than I think a lot of guys can do in terms of the anticipation and accuracy," an opposing coach told Sando. "Yes, it faltered at times. I also got the sense he was playing through some things. But when he is healthy and on, I don't think there are a lot of guys who are at the level he is at."
Sando highlighted that Purdy leads the NFL in EPA (expected points added) per pass play over the past three seasons and ranked fifth in the category in 2024. Yet, as one NFL defensive coordinator noted, opponents tend to focus more on stopping the 49ers' dynamic playmakers than Purdy himself.
"When you play San Fran, you are thinking about [Christian] McCaffrey, you are thinking about [George] Kittle, you are thinking about [Brandon] Aiyuk," the coordinator explained. "You know Purdy will get it to them, but you are not necessarily thinking about Purdy. You are facing their defense, all these skill guys, Kyle Shanahan."
The coordinator added, "He's a facilitator for them."
Purdy is accustomed to being undervalued—at least when it comes to public perception.
"I've always felt this underdog kind of story," Purdy recently told Richard Sherman. "And that's been my story, from high school, college, to the NFL. But for me, every single year, all that matters is if I'm leading these guys in this locker room, in this building, in this organization, and they trust me here—that's all that matters."
While Purdy has his doubters, one NFL coach expressed frustration with the ongoing criticism surrounding the 49ers quarterback.
"Purdy doesn't get enough credit," the coach told Sando. "The draft is over, OK? The guy has played his ass off. Recognize that! He is not the last pick in the draft anymore. The guy is one win away from being a 1 for some people, if he won a Super Bowl."
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