Garrett Podell of CBS Sports ranked the NFL's top 10 quarterback-coach duos heading into the 2026 season, with the San Francisco 49ers' pairing of Brock Purdy and Kyle Shanahan coming in at No. 6.
At the top of the list is the Los Angeles Rams duo of Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay, which edges out Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs. Sam Darnold and Mike Macdonald landed at No. 3, meaning three teams in the top 10 represent the NFC West.
Podell was impressed by the 49ers' success last season despite their six highest-paid players missing a league-leading 64 games. San Francisco still made the playoffs and knocked off the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
Podell credits Purdy and Shanahan for helping the 49ers navigate the adversity and remain competitive throughout the season.
"Purdy's situational efficiency in Shanahan's scheme reached new heights in 2025 with him completing 58.3% of his third and fourth down pass attempts, the highest rate by any quarterback in the last 35 seasons, per CBS Sports Research," Podell wrote.
However, Podell believes there is one area Purdy must improve if the 49ers are going to enjoy continued success: availability.
"Like the rest of the San Francisco roster, Purdy needs to work on improving his durability," Podell added. "He missed a combined 11 games across the last three seasons, including eight in 2025 with a turf toe injury. Shanahan is a master at maximizing whoever is on the football field, but it would be nice to see him work with a full deck for once. That may be difficult with much of his core on the wrong side of 30."
Purdy is entering his fifth NFL season. The good news is that he enters the 2026 campaign healthy and surrounded by an offense that should give him plenty of opportunities to succeed. However, the 49ers need him to remain on the field if they hope to compete with the Rams and Seahawks in the NFC West.
Mentioned in this article: Brock Purdy
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