ESPN NFL analyst Seth Walder recently released his way-too-early list of the top 10 candidates for the NFL MVP award, and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy made the cut.

Purdy missed several games last season while battling a lingering turf toe injury. Despite the setback, he posted impressive numbers in nine starts, throwing for 2,167 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while going 7-2. He also added 402 passing yards and two touchdowns in two playoff games, although he threw three interceptions during that span.


Walder clearly expects Purdy to return to form in 2026 and remain among the NFL's elite quarterbacks. The question is whether he can produce at a level that generates serious MVP consideration.

"You can't argue with Purdy's numbers when he has been on the field," Walder wrote. "His 69.7 QBR over the past four seasons ranks second behind only Josh Allen."

Despite Purdy's production, some critics continue to argue that he is merely a product of head coach Kyle Shanahan's offensive system rather than a driving force behind the 49ers' success.

"The Kyle Shanahan offense might be a hindrance to Purdy getting MVP votes," Walder continued, "but one could make the same argument against Stafford with Sean McVay or Caleb Williams (the other QB I considered here) with Ben Johnson. And it didn't seem to hold the Rams QB back in last season's vote."

Writer makes the case for a Mac Jones trade


Bleacher Report's Moe Moton recently identified one trade candidate for each NFL team. While wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk may seem like the obvious choice—especially with the 49ers eager to listen to offers—the more likely outcome appears to be a release before the season.


That leaves quarterback Mac Jones, who has been the subject of trade speculation throughout the offseason.

If Purdy delivers the MVP-caliber season Walder envisions as a possibility, dealing Jones makes sense. However, if Purdy struggles to stay healthy, Jones' value as a proven backup becomes even more critical for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

"If a team offers the 49ers a second-round pick for their backup signal-caller who's in the final year of his contract, they should consider the deal," wrote Moton.

Moton noted that Jones is coming off his strongest performance since his rookie campaign, albeit in limited action. The quarterback appeared in 11 games and made eight starts, throwing for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Those eight starts came while Purdy recovered from his turf toe injury.

Still, Moton acknowledged that the 49ers should be cautious about moving Jones, given Purdy's recent injury history.


"However, Jones' trade value isn't going to peak beyond what it is right now unless he sees the field for a significant number of snaps this year," Moton added.

"Moreover, Jones will be a free agent in 2027. The 49ers could offer him a lucrative deal to stay, but he may want to find a starting job elsewhere."

If Jones intends to pursue a starting opportunity in 2027 and the 49ers are confident Purdy can stay healthy and thrive in 2026, Moton believes the team should at least explore the possibility of a trade.

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