Purdy was left off ESPN's list of the NFL's top 10 quarterbacks entering the 2026 season. In fact, despite his impressive résumé, he has yet to crack the annual rankings.
One former teammate believes that's an oversight.
Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson, who played alongside Purdy at Iowa State, recently appeared on NFL Network's Good Morning Football and was asked whether he considers the 49ers quarterback a top-10 quarterback.
"Yeah, I don't see why not," Hutchinson answered. "You have to prove it every single season, in every single game, and I think that's exactly what he's done. I'm super excited for him because I don't even think this is the best that we've seen of him, and I know that he believes that himself, too.
"Like, there's so many areas that he has to work on, and I'm excited to see him put it all together, and I just wish him the best. That's my guy."
Hutchinson's comments reflect the confidence of someone who watched Purdy develop firsthand during their time together at Iowa State. While many continue to debate the quarterback's standing among the NFL's best, Hutchinson believes Purdy still hasn't reached his ceiling.
In four seasons with the 49ers, Purdy has thrown for 11,685 yards, 84 touchdowns, and 37 interceptions while compiling a franchise-best 104.0 career passer rating. Although a turf toe injury sidelined him for eight games last season, he still finished with 2,167 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in nine starts.
The 49ers enter the 2026 season with Super Bowl aspirations, and Purdy's health will be a major factor in determining whether San Francisco can make another championship run.
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