Even without taking a snap this weekend, Brock Purdy still managed to light up the NFL conversation - and all it took was a single photo.
The spark came from an Instagram post by 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, who shared a carousel of images from the 2025 season. One picture in particular had fans hitting pause: McCaffrey, Purdy, and fullback Kyle Juszczyk celebrating on the team plane. In the shot, both Purdy and Juszczyk appear to be flexing their wrists, a pose that immediately caught the attention of fans across social media.
Why? Because that wrist-flexing move has become something of a trademark for Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
It’s a nod to his signature celebration - the now-iconic watch flex - that he made famous during his time at Colorado and brought with him into the NFL. So when Purdy and Juszczyk struck a similar pose, the internet did what it does best: speculate.
Some fans were convinced it was a subtle jab at Sanders, especially with the Browns and 49ers having faced off earlier in the season. Others pushed back, arguing it was just a lighthearted moment among teammates, not some veiled message.
The timing of the photo only added fuel to the fire, with many wondering if it was snapped after San Francisco’s win in Cleveland. That hasn’t been confirmed, but the uncertainty hasn’t slowed the debate.
One fan on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “If Purdy is doing what I think he’s doing… I thought he was above that stuff.” Another chimed in, “Purdy taking shots at Shedeur.” A third added, “Please tell me this was after the Cleveland game,” punctuated with a laughing emoji - a sign of just how much fans are reading into a single image.
The conversation has also brought renewed focus to Sanders’ rocky rookie campaign. The Browns’ young quarterback had a tough go in Year 1, battling inconsistency and turnover issues.
He finished the season completing just 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. It wasn’t just the numbers, though - it was the moments.
In Week 14, Titans defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons sacked Sanders and mimicked the watch celebration right after. That visual - a veteran defensive lineman mocking a rookie QB’s signature move - stuck with fans and added a layer of drama to Sanders’ season.
Despite the struggles, Sanders remained grounded and confident in his postseason comments. “I think I did what I was able to do, and I definitely grew from a lot of things, and I got experience now,” he 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.”
As of now, the Browns haven’t named a new head coach, and that decision could reshape Sanders’ future in Cleveland. He’s not currently the team’s top option at quarterback, and what happens next - both in the front office and on the depth chart - will be critical for his development.
Meanwhile, Brock Purdy hasn’t addressed the photo or the online chatter. Whether it was a playful pose, an inside joke, or something more - that’s still up for interpretation. But one thing’s for sure: even in a bye week, Purdy found a way to stay at the center of the NFL conversation.