What happens between Brock Purdy and George Kittle feels different. Teammates since 2022, their bond goes deeper than routes and reads. We all know Kittle as the veteran, as he cracks jokes and hosts dinners. On the other hand, there is Purdy, the rising quarterback, steady and soaking in every rep. Together, they have carved out 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns last season, with offseason sessions in Nashville. And yet, the friendship is more than stats. From contract defenses to playful Iowa-Iowa State bets, their playful friendship wins our hearts.

And, George Kittle’s Instagram story on September 22 told the whole tale before anyone else needed to explain it. As he was dressed head-to-toe in Iowa State’s cardinal and gold, the 49ers’ TE definitely looked every bit the part of a Cyclone, even if unwillingly.

Originally shared by Brock Purdy, Kittle reposted the image on his IG story. The overwritten text on the image reads, “Smile if it’s a Hawkeye State” with a nervous emoji and cyclone. This indeed serves as an ironic reminder that Iowa, known nationwide as the “Hawkeye State,” had once again been claimed, at least for the moment, by its in-state rival. Well, fans can agree that this has become one of the NFL’s more entertaining college football subplots.

So where do you go from there? According to the betting tradition between these two teammates, there is no escape. Taking a quick recap, Iowa’s 16-13 loss to Iowa State on September 6 had sealed Kittle’s fate. All thanks to Kyle Konrardy’s 54-yard field goal with less than two minutes left that had us stumped. So, the single kick meant Purdy could sit back and enjoy his alma mater’s second straight win in the rivalry.

Meanwhile, Kittle had to walk into media week clad in stripes and a cowboy hat, as seen in the X post by Iowa State Nation. The post confirmed it, with the associated caption that reads, “George Kittle might have lost a bet to Brock Purdy. #CycloneState.”

Well, Kittle, all six-foot-four of him, looked hilariously out of place in Purdy’s colors. As it goes, the photos went viral almost instantly. Meanwhile, the bet itself has become a ritual that transcends college loyalties.

The rules are simple. When Iowa State wins, Kittle dons Cyclone gear and often Purdy’s old helmet that never quite fits him. On the other hand, when Iowa wins, Purdy takes the hit, wearing Hawkeye gold. In fact, back in 2023, he even wore the full Herky the Hawk mascot head. That year, Kittle joked online, as he posted: “Go Hawks @HawkeyeFootball @brockpurdy13. Shoutout @TylerBarnesIOWA for getting this Herky out to Cali!”

But lately, Purdy is getting the upper hand. Considering the last two of the three matchups, it has gone Iowa State’s way. And, each loss leaves Kittle muttering lines like, “You ruined my whole weekend.” This was his 2024 reaction after another Konrardy kick broke Hawkeye hearts. So, while they are both sidelined from the fields due to injury, they are keeping themselves entertained.

Purdy and Kittle’s injury battles

The hamstring strain of George Kittle was the kind of injury that stops everything in its tracks. And, it came in early this NFL season, in the second quarter of Week 1 against Seattle. Blocking downfield, while suddenly clutching at his leg, Kyle Shanahan weighed in on the situation right after the game. He said, “I mean, we’ve got to get MRIs on everything tomorrow and find out.” But, to the dismay of the fans, the follow-up was less reassuring.

By September 9, the 49ers had to place Kittle on the injured reserve list. ESPN’s Adam Schefter also gave us an overview, saying four games minimum, gone against the Saints, Falcons, Jaguars, and Rams. So, analysts are tagging it as a Grade 2 strain with a 3–5 week window.

Then, when we turn to Brock Purdy, the situation doesn’t get better. He somehow finished that same Seattle game with both turf toe and a sprained left shoulder. And his own words give us an understanding. He said, “It was just an accumulation… I finished the game, and it was more so like the adrenaline cooled down, and I was like, ‘All right, something’s wrong with my toe here.’’

So, Shanahan is trying to play it week-to-week. He revealed on September 9, “We’re not sure, has to see how it heals and how the week goes.” By Week 3, the report states that there is “A lot of progress… but it’s highly unlikely he will start.” So, maybe he can catch up by week 4.

And, all of this leaves Mac Jones in the spotlight. But, in a hearty twist, he has delivered. With the wins over the Saints and Cardinals, seven days apart, he is sealing his position. But even that wasn’t clean as a lingering PCL sprain resurfaced mid-game.

However, this ain’t weighing Jones down. He admitted, “So I had a little injury that I just reaggravated, and I’m good. I took the brace off because I wasn’t moving around very well.” This is the current scenario of the 49ers right now. With Kittle on IR, Purdy is trying to fight back early, and Jones is steadying the ship; they remain undefeated at 3–0.