For years, Brock Purdy has been one of the NFL’s most debated quarterbacks. Every strong performance sparks praise. Every time he falls on his face, there comes doubts on whether he deserves to be termed elite or simply a beneficiary of Shanahan’s pass-happy offensive scheme for quarterbacks. But even after leading the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl and many other playoff appearances, the doubts persist.
Alex Smith does not agree with all of that. The ex-49ers QB, gave perhaps the most flattering remarks to date about Purdy. According to him, the current 49ers franchise quarterback has not hit his potential yet and certainly deserves an elite status.
Alex Smith Says Brock Purdy Is An Elite Quarterback And San Francisco Is Lucky To Have Him
Jan 17, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) leaves the field following an NFC Divisional Round game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
During a recent appearance on “The Krueg Show”, Smith pushed back against critics who continue to question Purdy’s status among the NFL’s best QBs. The former No. 1 overall pick made it clear that he views Purdy as far more than a product of Shanahan’s offensive system. Smith went even further when explaining why Purdy’s game is often misunderstood. While many QB evaluations focus on arm strength, size, and athletic traits, Smith believes the 49ers star wins with qualities that are much harder to find.
“We’re lucky to have him. Like honestly. I think this guy is an elite QB. I know it looks different. I know it’s not 6’5″, or howitzer for an arm. It doesn’t matter.”
“This guy is so special. That’s what is so unique about the quarterback position. So much of it is between the ears. The physical attributes of being able to layer these things over the middle and to play with that kind of anticipation. You just can’t find it. It’s hard to find.”
Superstar: Alex Smith shares extremely high praise for 49ers QB Brock Purdy.
“We’re lucky to have him. Like honestly. I think this guy is an elite QB. I know it looks different. I know it’s not 6'5", or howitzer for an arm. It doesn’t matter. "
"This guy is so special. That’s… pic.twitter.com/gdES3oSs0A
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 7, 2026
The comments add another powerful voice to Purdy’s growing list of supporters. The Hall of Famers like Kurt Warner and Joe Montana think the quarterback is really good at making decisions and running the team. Smith’s opinion matters a lot because he knows what it takes to play for the 49ers.
The nice things people were saying did not stop. When Smith was asked if Purdy could help the 49ers win a Super Bowl, he said yes. Smith talked about how Purdy did a job during the 2025 season. When a lot of players were hurt, Purdy helped the team stay in the running for the playoffs. Smith said that this shows Purdy is a good quarterback who can help his team when things are tough.
It is interesting that Smith said these things now. Purdy just signed a contract with the 49ers that will pay him a lot of money until the 2030 season. This means he is now the main player for the team, and people are watching him closely to see if he can win a championship.
Some people, like Chris Simms and Donte Whitner, still do not think Purdy is good enough to lead the team to a win without the help of the coach, Shanahan. Smith sees the situation differently. To him, Purdy’s anticipation, poise, mobility, and football intelligence aren’t system-driven traits.
They are the exact qualities elite QBs are built on, and in Smith’s eyes, that is why the 49ers’ championship window remains wide open.