Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold reflected on his 2023 season with the San Francisco 49ers, where he served as Brock Purdy‘s main backup. That brief role set the stage for his standout performance with the Minnesota Vikings the following year. Darnold’s journey highlights how his time with the 49ers and guidance from head coach Kyle Shanahan helped shape his recent success.
Backup Role Turned Valuable Learning Experience
After being the third overall pick in 2018, Darnold’s career included stints as a starter for the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and USC Trojans before moving into a backup position with the 49ers. Speaking on the Richard Sherman Podcast, Darnold shared,
“[I was] just happy that they were able to bring me in. We were unsure about Brock’s elbow at the time (after the previous year’s NFC Championship injury). I thought I could potentially maybe go there and start for two or three games, depending on Brock’s situation.”
Although Darnold only started one game during San Francisco’s journey to the Super Bowl, his time there allowed him to absorb crucial lessons from Shanahan and the coaching staff. He noted,
“
But that was just a great experience, and being around those players, too, some of those dogs that are on that team, getting to experience what they do every single day.
”
From Vikings Backup to Record-Setting Starter
Following the 49ers stint, Darnold signed with the Minnesota Vikings as the backup to first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy. When McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury, Darnold stepped in and led the Vikings to the playoffs. In his first season, he threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, setting an <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL record with 14 wins as a starter for a team in his debut year.
Reflecting on that season, Darnold described it as, “That year was incredible,” emphasizing the value of learning from Shanahan, offensive coaches like Brian Griese, the Kubiaks, and Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint, who now serves alongside him.
Seahawks Confidence and Preseason Momentum
In March, the Seahawks rewarded Darnold with a three-year, $100 million contract that includes $55 million guaranteed, signaling their confidence in his abilities based on his strong showing in Minnesota and the experience gained in San Francisco. Darnold impressed fans in his preseason debut with Seattle, completing all four pass attempts in one series.
After Seattle’s home win over Kansas City, he shared,
“
I thought today, first of all, it was awesome just to get out there in front of the 12s. And that atmosphere, too, I felt like that was kind of a perfect atmosphere. It felt like it was almost November, December already out there in the rain.
”
Looking Ahead for Darnold and the Seahawks
Sam Darnold’s experiences with the 49ers and Vikings have clearly prepared him for his role as the Seahawks’ starting quarterback, both on and off the field. His development under Shanahan’s system and the coaching support from Seattle’s staff indicate promising potential for the Seahawks’ upcoming seasons as they look to leverage his proven leadership and skills.