Controversial NFL analyst Steven Ruiz just dropped his latest quarterback tier rankings, and Seattle, you might need to brace yourselves. Our very own defending Super Bowl champ, Sam Darnold, landed in the “supporting-cast dependent” tier right alongside San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy. This isn’t just a minor blip; it’s a direct challenge to how we view our starting signal-caller as the regular season gets rolling.
The “Supporting-Cast Dependent” Label Stings
Ruiz didn’t pull any punches with his definition for this tier. He wrote that this “group can produce like top-10 quarterbacks provided the conditions around them are just right. Some in this group require pristine pass protection. Others need an innovative play-caller or a stacked receiving corps. But when those needs aren’t met, they play more like bottom-10 quarterbacks.” Ouch. He called it the “middle class of NFL passers.” Purdy, entering his fifth NFL year, has shown flashes of brilliance, elevating his game with athleticism, extending plays, and being a high-quality anticipator with great efficiency in Kyle Shanahan’s system. He’s even improved his sack avoidance. But the knock against him is his turnover-worthy plays, with 41 turnovers in 49 career games. Ruiz even acknowledged Purdy’s 2025 season where he “elevate[d] the 49ers offense, even when the supporting cast isn’t as strong.” Still, the analyst stuck him in the same boat as Jared Goff (who struggles with pressure), Kyler Murray, and Jayden Daniels (both with health concerns). This is a tough pill to swallow for anyone hoping for a clear path to greatness.
Our Super Bowl Champ Is In The Mix
What truly makes this ranking hit different for us 12s is seeing Sam Darnold, the guy who just led a team to a Super Bowl, lumped into this group. Ruiz pointed out that this tier includes three quarterbacks who have played in a Super Bowl: Darnold, Jalen Hurts, and Brock Purdy. He even specifically noted, “Sam Darnold is the defending Super Bowl champ, and he’s coming off a clean postseason run, but he also led the NFL in turnovers last season.” That last bit? That’s the part that hurts. Hurts, meanwhile, has “led mediocre passing games in three consecutive seasons despite a wealth of surrounding talent.” And Purdy? He’s battled injuries, including a UCL issue, and “inconsistency since breaking out in 2022 with a superstar supporting cast and Kyle Shanahan calling the plays.” So, even with a Super Bowl ring, our QB gets tagged with needing the “just right conditions.”
So, what are we supposed to make of this, 12s? Our guy Sam Darnold, a Super Bowl champ, lumped into this “middle class” of passers right as the season kicks off. Ruiz admits Darnold had a clean postseason run, but he also points to leading the league in turnovers last season. It’s a wake-up call, a challenge thrown down right at the start of the season. Will Darnold, with Mike Macdonald and Brian Fleury leading the charge, prove he can elevate this offense no matter what? We’ll be watching every snap, because proving critics like Ruiz wrong? That’s what Seattle sports is all about.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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