The San Francisco 49ers entered the 2026 season with plenty of questions, but Brock Purdy has quickly answered one of the biggest ones.
Through the first four games, Purdy has looked like one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and has put himself firmly into the early MVP conversation.
The 49ers are 4-0 after Sunday’s 24-14 victory over the Denver Broncos, and Purdy has been one of the biggest reasons for their perfect start.
Purdy Is Playing at an MVP Level
Through four games, Purdy has completed 79 of 113 passes for 1,007 yards, 11 touchdowns and just one interception. He is completing 69.9% of his passes and has a passer rating of 126.2.
Even more impressive, Purdy has not been sacked once this season.
Those numbers have helped make him one of the most efficient quarterbacks in football.
Purdy’s September was particularly impressive. Through the first three games, he threw for 789 yards and nine touchdowns with only one interception while posting a 133.1 passer rating. He was rewarded by being named NFC Offensive Player of the Month.
That is the kind of start that gets a quarterback into the MVP discussion.
He Keeps Making Big Plays
Purdy’s success has not simply come from putting up numbers.
He has consistently made the right decisions and delivered big throws when San Francisco needs them.
Against Denver, Purdy completed 19 of 30 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns. The 49ers had a slow offensive start, but Purdy helped the team take control in the second half.
His connection with George Kittle produced the biggest play of the game.
Purdy found Kittle on a short screen pass that turned into a 56-yard touchdown. Kittle did the rest, breaking away from the Denver defense and giving San Francisco a 24-14 lead late in the fourth quarter.
That play was another example of Purdy’s ability to make the right read and give his playmakers opportunities.
The 49ers Are Winning Because of Him
The strongest part of Purdy’s MVP case may be the fact that San Francisco is undefeated.
The 49ers are not simply putting up impressive offensive numbers against weak competition. They have already faced the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos while dealing with injuries across the roster.
Yet San Francisco keeps finding ways to win.
Purdy has remained consistent through all of it.
He has also added 122 rushing yards and a touchdown this season, giving the 49ers another dimension when defenses take away his first passing options.
Kyle Shanahan and Purdy Are Clicking
Head coach Kyle Shanahan deserves credit for putting Purdy in positions to succeed, but Purdy deserves equal credit for executing the offense at such a high level.
The quarterback has developed into a player who can read defenses, make quick decisions and deliver accurate throws before receivers even reach their spots.
That chemistry has become one of San Francisco’s biggest advantages.
With players such as Kittle, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey around him, Purdy has plenty of weapons. But having talented players is only useful if the quarterback can consistently get them the ball.
Purdy has done exactly that.
The MVP Race Is Just Getting Started
There is still a long way to go before the 2026 MVP is decided, and plenty of other quarterbacks will make their cases throughout the season.
But Purdy has already given voters plenty to consider.
He has the statistics, the efficiency and, most importantly, the undefeated record.
The former Mr. Irrelevant has gone from one of the biggest underdog stories in football to one of the league’s most productive quarterbacks.
If Purdy continues playing anywhere close to this level, it will become increasingly difficult to keep him out of the MVP conversation.
Four games into the season, Brock Purdy isn’t just leading the 49ers. He’s making a legitimate case that he should be the front runner for the NFL MVP award.
