Star quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Brock Purdy are set to face each other in the Divisional Round of the playoffs on Saturday. And their prior conversation has sparked some talk of the NFL being rigged.
The players met in a low-scoring affair earlier this month, with the Seattle Seahawks emerging victorious. The Seahawks enjoyed a first-round bye this past weekend and are now gearing up for another matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Saturday’s tilt will bear significant implications.
The 49ers are perhaps the most surprising team headed to the next round following their win against the Philadelphia Eagles.
While it came at the cost of losing George Kittle, the Niners enjoyed the revenge win. Seattle, however, will present a very different challenge.
Darnold is having another impressive year. He’s now trying to go all the way after falling short with the Minnesota Vikings last season. Purdy is keen on another trip to the NFC Championship Game after getting the best of the Eagles this time around.
The QBs embraced after their last battle, and Darnold was heard telling Purdy he would see him in a couple of weeks.
Check out the video below:
Fans weren’t so quick to bite on this one, however.
One pointed out that “We literally see this all the time between QBs that know each other.”
We literally see this all the time between QBs that know each other..
— Haul Scamilton (@Hscam17) January 12, 2026
“Muted. I keep thinking you couldn’t post something more idiotic… then you do. Congrats,” another claimed.
Muted. I keep thinking you couldn’t post something more idiotic… then you do. Congrats.
— Adam Potulski (@PotulskiAdam) January 13, 2026
Someone said sarcastically, “Omg!!! Two players have never said this to each other before.”
Omg!!! Two players have never said this to each other before
— Don Kleivman Commentary (@NFL_DonKleivman) January 12, 2026
“pretty sure most players say this. when you know yall are good teams, you expect to see that team later on in the playoffs,” one user wrote.
pretty sure most players say this. when you know yall are good teams, you expect to see that team later on in the playoffs.
— Devin Baker (@DevinBaker23) January 13, 2026
“There’s way too many low IQ players in football to ever collectively keep a conspiracy like that going effectively without anybody finding out lol,” someone else suggested.
There's way too many low IQ players in football to ever collectively keep a conspiracy like that going effectively without anybody finding out lol.
— GuinnessStache (@guinnessstache) January 12, 2026
The script theory isn’t going away, but fans clearly won’t grab on to anything.