The Case for and Against Brock Purdy Winning MVP

Brock Purdy unquestionably is the most controversial player in the NFL this season. Some people think he's a mere product of the 49ers system, while others think he's the MVP of the NFL.

Here's the case for and against Purdy winning MVP.

THE CASE FOR PURDY

He's the starting quarterback for the best team in the NFL, and he leads the league and almost every passing statistic that matters. Most years, those credentials would be more than enough to win the MVP.

And sure, Purdy has a terrific coach and a great supporting cast, but so did Kurt Warner when he won the MVP. He had Mike Martz, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, and no one held that against Warner when the Rams were the Greatest Show on Turf. Plus Joe Montana had Bill Walsh, Mike Holmgren, Jerry Rice, John Taylor, Brent Jones, Roger Craig and Tom Rathman, and no one held that against Montana when the 49ers were the best team in football. Why should people hold Purdy's supporting cast against him?

This season has been defined by Purdy. When we look back in 20 years, we'll remember 2023 as the Purdy Year. He has to win the MVP. You can't tell the story of 2023 without him.

THE CASE AGAINST PURDY

He plays on the best team in the league by far. You could replace Purdy with 30 other quarterbacks, and the 49ers still would have at least 10 wins.

If Jimmy Garoppolo were the 49ers quarterback this season, their offense wouldn't be nearly as good as it has been with Purdy, but there's a good chance they still would have 10 or 11 wins. Remember, they went 13-3 with Garoppolo in 2019, and this season's team is even better.

Meanwhile, if Garoppolo were the Ravens quarterback this season instead of Lamar Jackson, Baltimore might have a losing record. That shows just how much more valuable Jackson is to his team than Purdy is to the 49ers.

Therefore, Jackson has to win the MVP, because he has carried his team to 11 wins. You can't say that about Purdy.