The San Francisco 49ers are one of three remaining undefeated teams in the NFL, but they’re the only one with six wins rather than five. Boasting a top-five offense and defense, many would argue that the 49ers are the best team in football, and Brock Purdy’s stellar play is a big reason why.
Four and a half years ago, all 32 teams, including the 49ers, passed on Mr. Irrelevant several times in the NFL Draft. Now, he’s getting MVP chants and earning extra praise from a former NFL linebacker turned football analyst.
Emmanuel Acho is a Big Brock Purdy Guy
It’s fair to say that Purdy, who became the NFL’s all-time passer rating leader on Monday night, has been one of the league’s best quarterbacks of the season. His NFL-leading 90.8 PFN Impact Score among QBs would back up what the eye test has shown.
Six games into the season, former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho went on the “Speakeasy” podcast to state his belief that Purdy is playing the best football of his career.
“I don’t think there are enough words to adequately describe what Brock Purdy is doing,” Acho said. “Because I don’t think people truly understand. We talked all the time about what Patrick Mahomes did when he didn’t have any true No. 1 wide receivers. You realize Brock Purdy has lost (Ricky) Pearsall, lost (De’Zhaun) Stribling, lost Deebo (Samuel), for this half lost Mike Evans, and still leads the NFL in touchdown passes. Brock Purdy has yet to play a bad game.”
Purdy is tied with Kirk Cousins and Trevor Lawrence for the NFL lead with 14 touchdown passes through Week 6.
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As Acho noted, what’s even more impressive about what Purdy has accomplished is that even when the 49ers keep dealing with injuries, it’s like the former seventh-round pick is unfazed, no matter who he’s throwing to.
“Purdy hasn’t even had a bad game, and he’s been without wide receiver 2, 3, 4, and 5,” Acho added. “Been without all of them for a time or two and wide receiver 1 for a half, and still undefeated. Still, playing near-perfect football, 14 touchdowns to two interceptions.
“Again, I suggest if Purdy were a former first-round pick, he’d have already won MVP. Wouldn’t have to do anything else. Fourteen tuds, two picks; he could have a couple mulligans, and we’d still give him grace. He is playing as great as we’ve ever seen him play and about as great as you can play through six weeks of the season.”
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There’s a reason why Purdy is in the conversation as an early-season MVP candidate. Not only are his 49ers winning, but he’s also been a huge part of their success, staying defiant while facing a world of challenges.
Once the Niners get some bodies back from the treatment room, it could spell trouble for the rest of the league, especially with Kyle Shanahan looking like he’s having all the fun he can in calling plays for his franchise quarterback.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.