As San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy enters his fifth NFL season, he continues to face skepticism from critics who argue he is more a product of head coach Kyle Shanahan's system than a true difference-maker at the position.

Former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck strongly disagrees.


Appearing on the Go Long podcast with Tyler Dunne, Hasselbeck made it clear that he believes Purdy is one of the league's most underappreciated quarterbacks.

"People don't give respect to Brock Purdy the way he deserves respect," Hasselbeck said (h/t to Oliver G. of Niners Wire). "That dude is a baller. And they love to use these other excuses, and I get it—he doesn't have this physical dominating presence when you meet him."


Hasselbeck noted that, based on appearance alone, some might mistake Purdy for a college—or even high school—quarterback. However, he emphasized that evaluations should go far beyond physical traits, and Purdy has shown he can play at an elite level.

"He is as much of a baller as there is in the NFL when it comes to running the show as a quarterback, clutch factor, technique, accuracy, mobility, moxie. I don't know why he doesn't get the respect, I really don't."

Hasselbeck also pointed to veteran wide receiver Mike Evans choosing to join the 49ers despite a more lucrative offer to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he played his first 12 NFL seasons.


"Mike Evans, he's on a good team, with a good quarterback, and he's like, 'You know, I want to go win a Super Bowl,'" Hasselbeck said. "He watches film all the time. What quarterback does he want to go play with? He wants to go play there."

Purdy is coming off an injury-shortened 2025 season. Despite starting just nine games, he threw for 2,167 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, helping guide the 49ers to a playoff berth.

Last offseason, San Francisco reinforced its commitment to Purdy, signing him to a five-year, $265 million contract extension that keeps him with the team through the 2030 season.

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