Shook placed Purdy at No. 14—just behind his former backup, Sam Darnold (No. 13), and others like Geno Smith and Jordan Love.
While some might brush off offseason rankings, Purdy's spot is noteworthy as he negotiates a contract extension. There's little doubt he will secure the biggest contract in 49ers history. The real question is how his annual salary will stack up against the NFL's highest-paid quarterbacks.
At the top of the list, Dak Prescott commands an annual salary of $60 million, followed by Love, Joe Burrow, and Trevor Lawrence, each averaging $55 million per year.
Determining Purdy's worth is complicated. He set a franchise record in 2023, throwing for 4,280 passing yards—the most in a season in 49ers history. However, his production dropped this past season as injuries plagued the team, contributing to a disappointing six-win campaign.
This year, Purdy's No. 14 ranking marks a seven-spot drop from his 2023 position.
"It's difficult to evaluate Purdy's season fairly because of the many injuries the 49ers suffered on both sides of the ball," Shook explained. "They played almost the entire season without Christian McCaffrey, lost Brandon Aiyuk to injury in October and spent a considerable stretch without 11-time Pro Bowler Trent William, just to name a few.
"Still, Purdy was asked to keep the 49ers in games in which their defense, also without multiple contributors, struggled. When Purdy was on, he was on, lighting up defenses seemingly with ease. When things got particularly tough around him, though, he wasn't nearly as great, making me wonder if he's able to consistently elevate those around him."
That doubt likely affected Purdy's ranking—and could also influence contract negotiations. Despite being one of the NFL's best bargains for the past three years, playing on his rookie deal as the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, questions remain about his ability to be a game-changing playmaker.
"Is he a quarterback who can overcome adversity, or will he be limited by it in his career?" Shook asked. "San Francisco needs to feel comfortable in the answer, as they prepare to enter contract negotiations with him."
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Where does 49ers' Mac Jones rank among NFL backup QBs by trade value?
Mac Jones saved the San Francisco 49ers' season in 2025. That wasn't a statement any fan expected to hear before last season began. But it happened. And it's not an overreaction. Starting QB Brock Purdy missed eight games in 2025. And Jones filled in admirably, going 5-3, and... -
49ers 2026 Schedule Preview Ranked by Championship Impact
The San Francisco 49ers face the longest travel schedule in NFL history with stops in Melbourne and Mexico City. This series previews every 2026 game ranked by championship impact—from early measuring sticks to the critical late-season clashes that will define the Niners'... -
Two 49ers named among NFL's most underrated players
Pro Football and Sports Network's (PFSN) Jacob Infante highlighted 12 of the NFL's most underrated players from the 2025 season, and the list included two San Francisco 49ers contributors. Infante utilized PFSN's Impact Scoring metric, which assigns a numerical value to... -
49ers QB Brock Purdy proved unlucky in one category by PFF
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy threw 13 interceptions during his injury-shortened 2025 season, including the playoffs. According to analytics site Pro Football Focus (PFF), only 12 of his passes were deemed turnover-worthy, yet nine of those throws resulted in...