Santa Clara, CA — Despite the public narrative of cohesion and unity within the San Francisco 49ers, new footage has emerged revealing a tense and highly charged argument between quarterback Brock Purdy and head coach Kyle Shanahan during the 2024 playoff run.

The incident, captured during a crucial timeout late in the NFC Divisional Round game, has only recently been made public after fan-shot video surfaced online.

What the Footage Shows

The clip, now circulating widely on social media, shows Purdy animatedly responding to something Shanahan says, with clear frustration visible on both sides. Though the audio is muted, lip readers and body language experts suggest the exchange was not “constructive” — but emotionally driven and laced with disagreement over play-calling.

Damage Control or Dismissal?

When asked about the altercation post-game in January, Shanahan offered a vague response:
“We’re all passionate. That’s what playoff football is.”But now, months later, the video has prompted fans and pundits to revisit that moment under a different light. Some speculate it was a crack in the armor of the Purdy-Shanahan relationship, especially given conflicting reports about offseason communication between the two.

Locker Room Dynamics in Question

Multiple sources from within the 49ers organization have since confirmed the moment was a “genuine disagreement,” though they maintain it was resolved internally.

Still, the public nature of the moment — and the delayed reaction to it — suggests all is not as seamless as the team’s PR machine would have fans believe.

Could this be the first major rift between Purdy and Shanahan? Or just a bump on the road to continued success?