Brock Purdy has emerged as a serious early MVP candidate after his production for the 49ers through three games so far.
Brock Purdy opened the 2026 season with one of the most productive three-game stretches by a quarterback in San Francisco 49ers history. He threw nine touchdown passes in three games, tying the franchise mark set by Steve Young in his 1998 MVP season.
Purdy’s total production is at 10 total touchdowns, nine passing and one rushing, which also matches Young’s combined touchdown output through three games in 1998, per X of OurSF49ers post. The latest came in a 36-30 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, where Purdy completed 15 of 27 passes for 297 yards and four touchdowns, while adding 34 rushing yards on two carries.
Brock Purdy = MVP 👑 pic.twitter.com/kdD2nuNlvg
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) September 27, 2026
Purdy had three touchdown passes against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1, two against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2, and four against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3, helping his team to a 3–0 start. Through three weeks, Purdy completed over 72% of his passes, threw nine touchdowns against just one interception, amassed 789 passing yards, and added 93 rushing yards and a rushing score.
As a result, Purdy is now one of the early MVP contenders and can be expected to continue to be the main man for his team. Ricky Pearsall is out for the season, while De’Zhaun Stribling and Demarcus Robinson also missed time.
In the Cardinals game, Mike Evans went out with a rib injury, and Trent Williams left with a concussion, but the offense continued at a high level. Purdy connected on a variety of targets, including two touchdown passes to George Kittle, a touchdown to Evans, and key completions to Jordan Watkins, Deebo Samuel, and Christian McCaffrey.
With Arizona cutting the deficit to 29-27 in the fourth quarter, Purdy responded with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Kittle with 1:31 left, effectively sealing the win. He also had a 45-yard rushing touchdown erased by a holding penalty on Kittle, meaning his statistical output could be even greater.
Brock Purdy opened the 2026 season with one of the most productive three-game stretches by a quarterback in San Francisco 49ers history. He threw nine touchdown passes in three games, tying the franchise mark set by Steve Young in his 1998 MVP season.