Why Brock Purdy Keeps Being Compared to Patrick Mahomes — One Area Where Purdy Is Rated Higher Than the 3x Super Bowl MVP

Brock Purdy is no longer the NFL’s surprise story. From “Mr. Irrelevant” to the quarterback leading the San Francisco 49ers, Purdy is increasingly mentioned in the same breath as Patrick Mahomes — the gold standard of the modern quarterback. The comparison isn’t driven by accolades, but by how Purdy plays the game: confident, creative, and efficient in the most chaotic moments.

The similarities between Purdy and Mahomes are most evident in their ability to extend plays. Neither panics when the pocket collapses. Both keep their eyes downfield, escape pressure with subtle movements, and deliver accurate throws once the defense breaks down. Their scrambles aren’t about running for survival, but about buying time — the space where elite quarterbacks separate themselves.

They also share a flexible football mindset. Like Mahomes, Purdy isn’t chained to the original design of a play. He processes quickly, is willing to break structure when necessary, and consistently searches for the optimal option rather than the safest one. That mindset forces defenses to cover multiple layers, knowing that any lapse in discipline can be punished immediately.

An NFL analyst shared: “What sets Purdy apart is that he doesn’t need to create crazy moments to dominate a game. He controls the tempo, reads defenses incredibly fast, and rarely puts his team in dangerous situations.”

Where Purdy is currently viewed as having an edge over Mahomes is in his command of offensive structure and decision-making discipline. Purdy rarely forces the ball into dangerous windows. He processes rapidly, delivers early, and maximizes the rhythm of Kyle Shanahan’s system — a key reason the 49ers sustain consistency from drive to drive.

While Mahomes is famous for his almost illogical, stadium-erupting plays, Purdy impresses with steady precision and a remarkably low margin for error. His pre-snap recognition, ability to identify pressure points, and on-time ball distribution allow him to control games in a calm, methodical, and highly effective manner — something not every star quarterback can do.

That contrast isn’t meant to diminish Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl MVP who fundamentally changed how the NFL views the quarterback position. Instead, it highlights how Purdy is carving out his own path — less flashy, less risky, and perfectly aligned with a talent-rich 49ers roster.

Ultimately, the comparison between Brock Purdy and Patrick Mahomes reflects something bigger. The NFL is witnessing the evolution of the modern quarterback, where “magic” isn’t limited to highlight throws, but also comes from control, discipline, and efficiency. And in that area, Brock Purdy is proving that he isn’t just keeping pace with Mahomes’ standard — he may be excelling in one of its most important aspects.