If you’ve been living under a rock—or maybe just haven't checked the box scores since 2022—you might still be wondering how the final pick of a draft is basically the king of Northern California. It sounds like a bad movie script. Yet, here we are in January 2026, and the answer to who is the quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers remains the same: Brock Purdy.
He’s not just the starter. He’s the guy who just signed a massive five-year, $265 million extension back in May 2025. That deal pretty much silenced anyone who thought Kyle Shanahan was just going to swap him out for a shiny new veteran. Purdy is the face of the franchise. Period.
The Wild Road to the 2026 Divisional Round
Honestly, the 2025 season was a bit of a roller coaster for the Niners. They finished 13-5, which sounds great, but it wasn't exactly smooth sailing. Purdy actually dealt with some nasty turf toe issues earlier in the year, missing a little time and making fans in Santa Clara collectively hold their breath.
Right now, as we sit here in mid-January 2026, the 49ers are gearing up for a massive Divisional Round clash against the Seattle Seahawks. It’s personal this time. Seattle, led by Mike Macdonald, actually beat the 49ers 13-3 in the regular-season finale just two weeks ago. Purdy struggled in that game. He looked human.
But then, last week happened.
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In the Wild Card round, Purdy went back to Philadelphia—the place where his elbow basically exploded a few years ago—and led a gutsy fourth-quarter comeback. He threw two interceptions in that game, and for a minute, it looked like the Eagles might pull it off. But on the final drive, Purdy went 5-for-7, capped off by a 4-yard touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey to win it 23-19. That’s the Purdy experience in a nutshell: stay cool, trust the system, and win when it counts.
Breaking Down the 49ers QB Depth Chart
While Purdy is the undisputed leader, the room behind him has changed quite a bit. If you’re looking at the roster today, the backup situation is actually pretty interesting.
Mac Jones is currently the QB2. Yeah, that Mac Jones. After things went south in New England and Jacksonville, he ended up in San Francisco on a one-year "prove it" deal. Surprisingly, he actually had to start five games this season while Purdy was dealing with that toe injury, and he went 4-1. He’s become a really reliable insurance policy for Shanahan’s offense.
Behind them, you’ve got Kurtis Rourke, a younger developmental guy they brought in. It’s a stable room, which is a far cry from the years where the 49ers seemed to go through four quarterbacks a season.
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Brock Purdy’s Career Stats (As of Jan 2026)
- Passing Yards: 11,685
- Touchdowns: 84
- Interceptions: 37
- Passer Rating: 104.0
- Playoff Wins: 5 (He’s trying for his 6th this weekend)
Purdy is currently chasing some legendary company. If he beats Seattle this Saturday, he’ll join Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes as one of the few quarterbacks to win six playoff games in their first four seasons. Not bad for "Mr. Irrelevant."
The $265 Million Elephant in the Room
A lot of people questioned the 49ers for giving Purdy $53 million a year. They thought the "system" made him, not the other way around. But if you watch the tape from this 2025 season, you see him making plays outside the structure more than ever.
His chemistry with guys like Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall has evolved. Especially with George Kittle recently suffering a torn Achilles in that Eagles game, Purdy is going to have to lean on his receivers even more. The 49ers are currently a bit banged up heading into the Seattle game, with Pearsall and Jacob Cowing both listed as questionable.
Why Purdy Still Matters for Your Fantasy or Betting Logic
If you’re looking at the 49ers for the rest of this postseason, keep an eye on how Purdy handles the Seahawks' "deep-to-short" defensive scheme. Mike Macdonald has historically been Purdy’s kryptonite. In four career meetings against Macdonald-led defenses (including his time with the Ravens), Purdy has struggled with turnovers.
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But here is the actionable takeaway: Purdy’s mobility has actually improved this year. He’s been scrambling more effectively, picking up 323 rushing yards in the 2024 season and keeping that trend up in 2025. When the primary read is covered, he’s no longer just a "statue" in the pocket.
What to Watch for Next
The 49ers face the Seahawks this Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Lumen Field. Since Seattle won the division, the 49ers have to go on the road. This is the ultimate test for Purdy. Can he beat the one coach who seems to have his number?
If the 49ers win, they’ll likely be heading to an NFC Championship game, and the conversation about Purdy being a "system QB" will probably be buried for good.
Next Steps for 49ers Fans:
Check the final injury report on Friday afternoon to see if Ricky Pearsall is cleared to play. His presence is massive for Purdy’s ability to stretch the field against Seattle’s secondary. Also, keep an eye on the weather in Seattle; if it's a rainy mess, expect a heavy dose of McCaffrey and shorter, high-percentage throws from Purdy.