Brock Purdy didn’t crack ESPN’s 2026 top-10 quarterback rankings last week, but the strongest case for Purdy’s legacy might not come from a survey or a former teammate — it comes from the math.
According to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco, Purdy is on pace to become the most efficient passer in NFL history five games into the 2026 season, which would surpass numbers by both Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson.
“When he hits 147 [passing attempts], that gives him 1,500 pass attempts for his NFL career,” Maiocco said on KNBR. “And at this pace, as long as those 147 go like the previous 1,353 have gone, Brock Purdy will be the all-time leading player in NFL history when it comes to passer rating. Right now, he’s at 104.0, and currently atop the list in NFL history are Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson at 102.2. So if that’s not a top 10 quarterback, then… then I’m not sure what is.”
Purdy has thrown for 11,685 yards, 84 touchdowns and 37 interceptions across 1,353 career attempts so far. Those numbers will get even higher should he stay healthy and remain a competent starter for the 49ers in 2026.
The advanced numbers back up the case, too. Pro Football Focus ranked Purdy the NFL’s 10th-best quarterback entering 2026 — ahead of eight former No. 1 overall picks — powered by an 85.4 overall grade that ranked sixth at the position. His 65.8 passing grade under pressure ranked third in the league, and his league-leading 9.0% pressure-to-sack rate reflects his ability to process and get rid of the ball before a pocket fully collapses. His 78.7% accuracy rate was among the NFL’s best, and he led all quarterbacks in EPA per play on third and fourth down last season among passers with at least 100 late-down dropbacks.
Purdy is also getting validation from people who watched him before the 49ers did. Xavier Hutchinson, his former receiver at Iowa State, said Purdy belongs in the top-10 conversation.
Between the historic passer rating pace and the PFF grades, the numbers make a cleaner case for Purdy than any survey ever will.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: The simple math that explains why Brock Purdy is a top-10 QB
Reporting by Oliver G., Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Oliver G., Niners Wire | USA TODAY Network
