San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy continues to get lots of praise through the first three weeks of the 2026 season, and now he's earning one of the best compliments of his young career.
Former NFL offensive lineman Damien Woody called Purdy "Brady-esque" when it comes to the mental side of the game, comparing the 49ers starter to his legendary New England Patriots teammate, Tom Brady.
"I think he is one of, if not the best, processors that we have in the National Football League. The way he sees the field and is able to process in such a short period of time, I think that's what makes him, in my mind, an elite quarterback," Woody said on The Herd with Colin Cowherd. "He's a very underrated athlete. He can use his legs and get out of trouble
and make plays with his legs. But it's his mind that is elite. And, you know, that to me is Brady-esque, the way he uses his mind to exploit these defenses. I'm telling you, the combination of him and Kyle Shanahan, boy, that's that's it's a weapon. It's an absolute weapon."
"His mind is elite. It's Brady-esque the way he uses his mind to exploit defenses. The combination of him and Kyle Shanahan is a weapon."@colincowherd & @damienwoody on 49ers QB Brock Purdy's strong start to the season pic.twitter.com/fEuLzZMl7o
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) September 28, 2026
Woody spent four seasons alongside Brady, from 2000 to 2003, including Brady's first three years as a starter. So his words carry weight.
The numbers through three weeks back the claim up. Purdy is 3-0, completing 72.3% of his passes for 789 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception. He's doing it all with a depleted offensive roster rife with injuries, but under the command of head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Brady wasn't ever really known as this sensational athlete. But he got the job done. Purdy is doing the same.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Ex-NFL OL calls Brock Purdy 'Brady-esque'
