Could 2023-24 be the best season of Sam Darnold’s career?
Sam Darnold, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason, is currently the team's third quarterback on the depth chart behind Trey Lance and Brock Purdy. With that said, it's quite possible that he'll never play a single second during the regular season.
Let's face it, third-string quarterbacks don't usually see a lot of action. But due to injuries to either Lance or Purdy, he just might get an opportunity to start a few games here and there.
Darnold's career hasn't gone like it was supposed to. The former USC Trojan was expected to become the franchise QB for the New York Jets after the team selected him with the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Unfortunately, he struggled and lasted just three seasons with the Jets before being traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2021.
Surely, the Jets regret drafting Sam Darnold, especially since they could've landed Josh Allen, who was drafted seventh overall in 2018 or Lamar Jackson (32nd overall) instead.
Darnold spent the past two seasons in Carolina. He lost the starting job to Cam Newton and P.J. Walker in 2021. Yet, last season, he had a fantastic six-game stretch with over 1,000 passing yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions.
Will Sam Darnold revive his career with the San Francisco 49ers next season?
If any team knows anything about the injured quarterbacks, it's the 49ers. Starter Trey Lance and backup Jimmy Garoppolo both went down with season-ending injuries in 2022. Later, rookie Brock Purdy, who emerged as the starter, got hurt during the NFL Championship loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Lance is expected to be ready for the start of next season and Purdy could miss a few games, recovering from offseason elbow surgery.
QB Brock Purdy underwent successful surgery on his elbow today, source says. It was the anticipated UCL repair with an internal brace. The expectation is Purdy will begin throwing in three months and build up his strength from there per @MikeGarafolo https://t.co/77kBHpn23B
Darnold will be the starter if both quarterbacks wind up missing significant time or struggle on the field. Playing for an offensive mastermind like 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, Darnold could absolutely revive his career in San Francisco. Being surrounded by weapons like Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle would definitely help.
Darnold's best season was in 2019 when he threw for a career-high 3,024 yards and 19 touchdowns. Should he emerge as the Niners' starter, he could trump those numbers next season.