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Football fans love a good MVP discussion. We are going to have one here after Brock Purdy’s San Francisco 49ers ran the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles off their own field on Sunday.
Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes and Tua Tagovailoa entered Week 13 as betting favorites to win the award. Purdy was next, followed by a big drop to Josh Allen and C.J. Stroud in the next tier.
It’s time to reassess not only the MVP race, but where Purdy fits into it after leading San Francisco to touchdown drives on six consecutive possessions against the Eagles — only the fifth time an offense has done that since at least 2000, per TruMedia.
This edition of the Pick Six column strips away everything anyone has thought about Purdy and his role in the 49ers’ success, focusing instead on pure production. I’ve pulled the relevant numbers for the past 10 MVP quarterbacks and will show exactly how the 2023 contenders stack up, with special attention on Purdy.
- MVP race: The case for Brock Purdy
- Playoff race: Packers & biggest swings
- Looking toward the 2024 coach hiring cycle
- Let’s not overthink offensive declines
- Putting a roof over Geno Smith’s head
- Two-minute drill: LSU’s Daniels over North Carolina’s Maye
1. Not long ago, we were discussing whether Brock Purdy was a legitimate starting quarterback. Now, we are asking whether he’s a legitimate MVP candidate. The production says yes. So does the context.
Purdy finished the 49ers’ 42-19 victory against the Eagles with 314 yards and four touchdown passes. His receivers accounted for 212 yards after the catch, which plays into the thinking Purdy benefits from his receivers disproportionately. He does not on the whole.
YAC accounts for 48.5 percent of Purdy’s passing yards this season. The average is 47 percent for starting quarterbacks. The average was 48 percent for the past 10 MVP quarterbacks. Mahomes was at 54 percent during his 2022 MVP season.
