”I don't study the other quarterbacks”: Shanahan’s Purdy praise says plenty about the 49ers’ title hopes

T he San Francisco 49ers have spent the first three weeks of the 2026 season giving themselves a reason to believe this could finally be the year they finish the job. They are 3-0, their offense is producing at an impressive rate, and Brock Purdy has emerged as an early MVP candidate.

Perhaps most notably, Kyle Shanahan believes his quarterback is operating at a very high level. "I don't study the other quarterbacks right now, so I don't really know what anyone else is doing except for the guys that we go against," Shanahan said. "I don't get to see any of that, but I think it's really hard to play much better than he's playing right now."

Through three games, the numbers back up the optimism

The 49ers improved to 3-0 with a 36-30 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3, with Purdy completing 15 of 27 passes for 297 yards and four touchdowns. The performance earned him a nomination for the NFL's FedEx Air and Ground Player of the Week award , one week after he was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week following San Francisco's victory over the Miami Dolphins.

Against Miami, Purdy completed 20 of 22 passes for 317 total yards, two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. Through three games, he leads NFC quarterbacks with nine touchdown passes and leads the NFL with a 133.1 passer rating. Including his rushing touchdown against Miami , he has 10 total touchdowns, tied for the most in franchise history through three games.

Just as important for San Francisco has been the efficiency of the offense around him. The 49ers have yet to allow a sack through three games, setting a new franchise record. Purdy has helped that effort with accurate throws, quick decisions and the ability to use his legs when necessary, while the offensive line and skill-position players have played their parts.

Purdy has also credited Shanahan for putting him in position to succeed. "I think Kyle is the best in the league at calling plays, the system, and calling the right plays at the right time," Brock said. "To call the play at the right time, that's what it takes to be elite and he's done that over all the years of his coaching."

That trust extends beyond the quarterback and coach. Linebacker Fred Warner said Shanahan has "a lot of confidence in Brock to go out there and deliver the throws that he needs to make while also protecting it and playing aggressive within the scheme."

Purdy, meanwhile, has maintained a demanding standard for himself. "I've just been hard on myself, playing at a standard for myself of playing at a high level at quarterback and going through my reads," he said. That approach will be tested as the schedule moves forward.

It's fair to wonder whether San Francisco has benefited from a relatively favorable stretch over the past two weeks and whether its injuries could become a factor against stronger opponents. A 3-0 record alone doesn't settle those questions.

The 49ers take care of business

The Arizona game provided an example. Purdy said the Cardinals made San Francisco work for its opportunities with a "bend but don't break" defense. "I thought they did a good job of dropping back in zones and making us be smart," Purdy said. "Those drives were long and you had to go earn it."

The 49ers will close their homestand in Week 4 against the Denver Broncos, who feature a familiar face in former San Francisco safety Talanoa Hufanga. The defensive player recorded two interceptions in Denver's most recent game.

For San Francisco , the bigger question is whether this fast start can develop into another deep postseason run. The franchise's recent history has made the distinction between a strong regular season and a championship season particularly important. At 3-0, though, the 49ers have put themselves in position to find out.