There seem to be two separate camps in relation to evaluating quarterback Brock Purdy: one that feels he's a top-10 quarterback and another that feels he isn't.
OK, fair enough.
The San Francisco 49ers clearly feel he's a top-10 signal-caller and are paying him as such, and it's understandable the national narrative doesn't necessarily agree, even if the "Mr. Irrelevant" NFL Draft bias of being the last selection of the 2022 class continues to follow him despite his accolades to date.
But 2024's frustrating campaign nevertheless tossed cold water on Purdy's otherwise rapid ascent. While his overall efforts weren't horrible, it's impossible to overlook the Niners' 6-11 finish and draw it back to Purdy in one form or another.
That's primarily what Fox Sports' Henry McKenna did in a pre-training camp ranking of all 32 teams' quarterback situations.
Hint: Purdy didn't rank very high.
Fox Sports keeps Brock Purdy far away from top 10 QBs
True, San Francisco is far removed from having a horrid quarterbacking situation (McKenna tabbed the Pittsburgh Steelers' recent official onboarding of Aaron Rodgers at No. 26 out of 32).
But Purdy and the 49ers just barely managed to crack the top half of the crop, landing at No. 15.
And it's what McKenna said about the quarterback's immediate future and whether or not the rest of the league finally caught up with him and head coach Kyle Shanahan's system:
"The 49ers lost their way offensively in 2024, and it wasn’t just because of injuries. Yes, Purdy was sorting out how to manage a locker room, a huddle and a game plan without his best players. But I also think Kyle Shanahan was doing that in a season where teams schematically caught up to the 49ers’ system.
For the 49ers, is this the beginning of the end? Or the beginning of a new chapter?"
The doubt might be shaded in a bit by the Niners' offseason retooling, which was headlined by the departure of All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel. More than before, Purdy will have to shoulder a bigger load, and his hefty contract extension inevitably will put more pressure on the quarterback to deliver.
San Francisco hopes it is a "beginning of a new chapter," yes. But that'll have to play itself out.
As for those top-10 quarterbacking situations from Fox Sports, here you go:
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Read more from Niner Noise