The 49ers beat the Commanders on October 19, 2026 to reach 6-0, leading 23-3 before Washington closed late. The discussion has moved from whether Brock Purdy is a product of Kyle Shanahan's system to where he ranks among quarterbacks outright. He tops a weekly MVP ballot and Mahomes Mountain for the first time, trails only Josh Allen when a play breaks down, and joins Tom Brady as the only QBs to start 6-0 with 15 or more touchdowns and two or fewer interceptions. The system-versus-talent split remains unresolved, and one show has him second in MVP odds rather than the leader.