49ers quarterback Brock Purdy receives the respect he deserves from his peers around the NFL

Despite a remarkable 2023 season in which he was a play away from winning the Super Bowl, Brock Purdy is something of a divisive figure among NFL observers, many of whom credit his rapid ascension from final pick in the draft to face of the San Francisco 49ers purely to head coach Kyle Shanahan and his scheme.

But there is little doubt among those who have gone against Purdy about his ability, with the Niners' signal-caller making his debut on the NFL Top 100 list in a lofty position.

Purdy came in at number 28 on the list, compiled by polling players from around the league.

His ranking follows his first full season as 49ers starter, which ended in an agonizing overtime defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58.

Purdy was the MVP frontrunner for much of the campaign, the former Iowa State star excelling through his ability to not only execute Shanahan's scheme, but to elevate it with his playmaking prowess and his aggression and success attacking downfield, his ambition in that regard much higher than that of predecessor Jimmy Garoppolo.

He ended the regular season with the most passing yards in franchise history , racking up 4,280 along with 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Purdy's touchdown percentage of seven was the highest in the NFL. He also led the NFL in passer rating, QBR and every yards per attempt metric.

His performance in those categories, along with the two comebacks he led in the playoffs and an admirable performance in going toe to toe with Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, were not enough to win over all the skeptics.

But it's clear that the rivals Purdy spent the 2023 season dismantling are already sold on him being the real deal. If he continues in the same vain in 2024, he'll be even higher up the list next year.

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