Brock Purdy received major recognition for his strong start to the 2026 season. The San Francisco 49ers have jumped to 3-0 behind an MVP-caliber September from Purdy, who completed 72.3% of his passes for 789 yards, nine touchdowns, and one interception. An ESPN analyst paid him the best compliment a quarterback can receive.
Dan Orlovsky said on Friday's First Take that Purdy's early play is reminiscent of Tom Brady. He wants the 26-year-old to receive more credit for how he's conducted Kyle Shanahan's high-powered offense. "I don't think there's anybody in the league that can be doing what Purdy's doing in San Francisco right now," Orlovsky said.
"The way it's getting done ... I'm just telling you guys, the way that this thing is getting operated right now, it is like watching Brady in New England." Orlovsky argued that Purdy belongs in the conversation among the NFL's best quarterbacks this season. He noted that the former No. 262 pick hasn't gotten sacked once and is making improvisational plays when needed.
"There's no quarterback right now that is a greater problem solver," Orlovsky said. Neck up, there's no one playing faster. Neck down, no one playing calmer.
I think that's a rare combination." As a late draft choice who has seized the starting job and taken his team to a Super Bowl, Purdy has drawn the Brady parallel before. He may currently be playing well enough to justify it. ESPN Insights noted that Purdy has the highest QBR (93.7) through the first three games of the season since the stat was introduced in 2006.
Brady was one of four other quarterbacks to post a similarly strong QBR through his team's first three games. He threw 50 touchdowns and won MVP during New England's undefeated 2007 regular season. Brady may also not take umbrage at Orlovsky invoking his name.
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