From Mr. Irrelevant to MVP Contender — Iowa State Legend Brock Purdy Became the NFL’s Most Valuable Player 2025..
September 11, 2025 — San Francisco, CA
The story of Brock Purdy reads like football folklore. Once dismissed as an afterthought in the 2022 NFL Draft — selected dead last, earning the infamous title of “Mr. Irrelevant” — Purdy has now become one of the most important players in professional football, a frontrunner for the 2025 NFL Most Valuable Player award, and the starting quarterback of the Super Bowl-favorite San Francisco 49ers.
But what makes Purdy’s value so extraordinary isn’t just his statistical excellence or leadership on the field — it’s the shocking imbalance between his contribution and compensation.
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🏈 Purdy’s Meteoric Rise
Purdy’s climb has been nothing short of meteoric. After being thrust into action in late 2022 due to injuries, he led the 49ers to an NFC Championship Game and never looked back. Since then, he has solidified himself as one of the NFL’s most efficient and poised quarterbacks, consistently leading a star-studded San Francisco offense with confidence and precision.
In 2024, Purdy threw for over 4,300 yards, 34 touchdowns, and only 7 interceptions, finishing top five in passer rating and QBR. His ability to protect the football while still being aggressive downfield has made him a nightmare for defenses and a dream for head coach Kyle Shanahan, who built a quarterback-friendly system and found in Purdy the perfect operator.
> “He’s the heartbeat of this offense,” Shanahan said earlier this season. “His football IQ, his toughness, his accuracy—it’s everything you want in a franchise QB.”
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💰 The NFL’s Biggest Bargain
In an era where the NFL’s elite quarterbacks command upwards of $50 million per year—with names like Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Lamar Jackson topping the earnings chart—Purdy stands out for a wildly different reason:
He’s making less than $1 million annually.
Under the terms of his original four-year rookie deal worth just $3.7 million, Purdy carries a 2025 cap hit of under $950,000 — an almost inconceivable number for someone being mentioned in the same breath as MVP contenders.
This financial imbalance has given the 49ers unprecedented roster-building flexibility. While other teams struggle to balance the books around highly-paid quarterbacks, San Francisco has been able to keep and extend core stars like Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Fred Warner, and Nick Bosa, all while fielding arguably the league’s most complete roster.
> “There isn’t another player in the league who contributes as much and earns so little,” said an anonymous NFC executive. “That gap in value makes Brock Purdy the most valuable player in the league — full stop.”
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🌟 What Makes Purdy So Valuable?
It’s not just the stats. It’s not just the wins. It’s how he wins.
Poise Under Pressure: Purdy ranks in the top three in passer rating under pressure. His calm demeanor in high-stakes moments mirrors that of a 10-year veteran.
Film Junkie Mentality: Teammates and coaches rave about his preparation. “He’s the first in, last out. The kid lives on tape,” said offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
Locker Room Leadership: Despite his low salary and underdog background, Purdy has become one of the most respected voices in the 49ers’ locker room.
Efficient Execution: He executes Shanahan’s intricate offensive system with surgical precision, spreading the ball and keeping defenses guessing.
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🔥 A True MVP Candidate
As the 49ers sit atop most power rankings heading into Week 2 of the 2025 season, Purdy has emerged as a leading MVP candidate, battling alongside the likes of Josh Allen, C.J. Stroud, and Caleb Williams.
If he continues at this pace and leads San Francisco to another deep playoff run — or a long-awaited Super Bowl title — he will not only become the most unlikely MVP in modern NFL history but also the ultimate validation of the idea that greatness doesn’t always come with a $50 million price tag.
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🏟️ The Iowa State Connection Lives On
Even amid his meteoric rise, Purdy has not forgotten where he came from. He remains a beloved figure at Iowa State University, where he holds virtually every major school passing record. His recent visit to the program this week served as a reminder of the roots that shaped him — and a moment of inspiration for current Cyclones dreaming of NFL stardom.
> “Brock is the ultimate example that it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish,” said Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell.
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🧾 What’s Next?
Purdy is eligible for an extension after the 2025 season, and the 49ers will almost certainly face a massive decision — pay the man, or risk losing the most valuable contract in sports.
Until then, San Francisco will continue to enjoy the unfair advantage of a top-tier quarterback playing on a bottom-tier salary — a situation that might just be the deciding factor in who hoists the Lombardi Trophy in February.
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Brock Purdy isn’t just a good story anymore. He’s a great quarterback. And in 2025, he may just become the NFL’s Most Valuable Player — in more ways than one.
