Total Pro Sports
Brock Purdy did not play this weekend, but fans still talked about him nonstop. One photo on social media started a crazy debate.
The picture came from an Instagram post by 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. He shared several photos from the 2025 season. One showed McCaffrey, Purdy, and fullback Kyle Juszczyk celebrating together on the team plane.
Fans quickly noticed something in that photo. Purdy and Juszczyk appeared to flex their wrists, as if they were showing off watches. That caught people’s attention right away.
Many fans linked the gesture to Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Sanders is known for the same watch-flex celebration, which he used often at Colorado and early in his NFL career.
Some fans think Purdy was taking a subtle shot at Sanders. Others believe it was just a fun moment and that people are reading too much into it.
Speculation grew when fans suggested the photo came after the 49ers beat the Browns in Cleveland. No one confirmed the timing. That detail did not stop the debate.
#49ers Christian McCaffrey dropping some great pics from the season of the squad on his IG 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kMMXzT53lq
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) January 22, 2026
“If Purdy is doing what I think he’s doing… I thought he was above that stuff,” one fan wrote on X.
If Purdy is doing what I think he’s doing… I thought he was above that stuff.
— julianmarq (@julianmarq1) January 23, 2026
Another user added, “Purdy taking shots at Shedeur.”
Purdy taking shots at Shaduer.
— J Rule (@Jruleoregon) January 23, 2026
A third fan asked, “Please tell me this was after the Cleveland game.”
Please tell me this was after the Cleveland game😂 https://t.co/ki0a9NrVdt
— Jay (@JaySwish__) January 23, 2026
The debate also brought back memories of Sanders’ rough rookie season. Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders faced criticism all year. He struggled with consistency and turnovers. He completed 56.6 percent of his passes for 1,400 yards, with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
In Week 14, Titans defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons mocked Sanders after a sack. Simmons copied the watch flex celebration. That moment made everything more interesting around Sanders.
After that, Sanders addressed his future after the season. He stayed confident but realistic.
I think I did what I was able to do, and I definitely grew from a lot of things, and I got experience now,” Sanders said. “So, I’m always the same, confidence-wise, I’m there. But like, that’s not in my hands. Like, that’s not my decision. I can’t speak on what other people feel.”
The Browns still have not named a new head coach. That decision could affect Sanders’ role in 2026. Right now, he is not the team’s top quarterback.
Purdy has not responded to the online talk. The photo remains open to interpretation. For now, fans continue to debate what it meant and whether it was intentional.
