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Kalyn Kahler
Multiple Authors
TWO YEARS AGO, Sam Darnold found himself at a small, round table in a Hilton ballroom just outside Las Vegas. Throughout Super Bowl media week, several reporters stopped by to chat with him and a fellow San Francisco 49ers teammate, but many more sidestepped their table in favor of interviewing more prominent players. Darnold, serving as a backup, had receded into the background, a decision he made for his own benefit.
While seated at his table, unbothered, a reporter inquired if he thought about the optimal ways to nurture a quarterback’s development. What had he learned in the six NFL seasons following his early exit from college, the No. 3 pick by the New York Jets, encountering the infamous “ghosts,” being released by the Jets, and making two fresh starts? What does it take for a young quarterback to succeed?
“Consistency within the organization, along with trust,” Darnold replied in 2024. “If things go south—which is often the case with rookie quarterbacks—not everyone will mirror C.J. Stroud’s immediate success. It requires exceptional coaching and leadership to foster trust and maintain stability for a few years. You need to let the kid find his footing, and after a couple of seasons, you’ll understand whether everything is consistent, with the same GM and coaches in place.”
This mix of consistency and trust was something Darnold, having experienced four head coaches in his initial five seasons, had not encountered in the NFL until he signed a three-year contract as the starting quarterback for Seattle in March. Feeling settled enough, he even purchased a home for the first time.
“If there’s one takeaway from Sam’s career, you’d hope it’s patience,” remarked Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. “Yet, the NFL doesn’t prioritize patience. It’s a ruthless league. You might get let go and have to try elsewhere, but you must ensure you’ve learned from past experiences. … That’s exactly what Sam has done.”
The NFL draft system often pairs the most gifted young quarterbacks with the worst-run franchises. Their rights typically belong to low-performing teams that lack the patience to learn how to win, and just like clockwork, the coaching staff intended to groom them usually gets fired. although the Jets’ efforts to develop Darnold, he had to construct the foundations he lacked in his early career after departing the organization.
When 49ers quarterback coach Brian Griese contacted Darnold during the early 2023 offseason to recruit him as Brock Purdy’s backup for a reset season, Griese asked Darnold how he saw himself in light of the challenges he’d faced.
Griese recalled Darnold’s response: “I like who I am.”
“That really reinforced in my mind that he was the right fit,” said Griese. “The experience in New York was tough. … If I’d met with him and he lacked belief in himself, I doubt we’d have pursued him in San Francisco. His ability to navigate through challenging times while retaining his emotional resilience provided him with a real opportunity.”
“He faced uncertainty regarding his reads and how to execute plays effectively, which can spell disaster for quarterbacks. but, he never lost faith in himself.”
though Seattle’s offense reached the end zone just once, Darnold’s agility became a pivotal factor in their 29-13 victory against the New England Patriots Sunday night, as he deftly evaded pressure from their defense multiple times.
Those who know Darnold well say his motivation isn’t about proving detractors wrong but rather about demonstrating his worth to teammates and family. He discovered the trust and consistency he identified as essential for quarterback development. Initially a Super Bowl-losing backup, he is now a Super Bowl champion.
WHEN DARNOLD’S FORMER coaches and teammates describe him, a consistent adjective emerges: resilient.
Jordan Palmer, Darnold’s private quarterback coach and a former NFL player, asserts that Darnold’s resilience is key to his career revival.
While quarterbacks battling physical injuries are often seen as the toughest, Palmer believes emotional resilience is just as significant. “Sam’s journey over the past four to five years is incredibly tough—not every tough guy can endure that. He’s among the most resilient quarterbacks I’ve encountered, and it has nothing to do with physical strength.”
Palmer marks Darnold’s noticeable improvement starting in 2022, during his second season in Carolina, where the franchise gave up a second-round pick to trade for him despite his previous uninspiring seasons with the Jets. After being beaten out for the QB position by Baker Mayfield, Darnold began the year on injured reserve due to an ankle sprain. Following coach Matt Rhule’s firing, Darnold returned to lead the Panthers to a 4-2 record in his last six games, keeping them competitive for the NFC South title.
Carolina’s then-offensive coordinator, Ben McAdoo, currently with Super Bowl rivals the Patriots, still considers himself a strong advocate for Darnold.
“Darnold was still a developing player in many regards,” McAdoo noted, explaining that he worked to improve Darnold’s footwork in coordination with his eye movement, enabling him to eliminate hesitation in his decision-making.
“We focused on breaking down his feet and rebuilding them,” McAdoo elaborated. “We dedicated more time to fundamentals than he had in the past.”
McAdoo recalled a pivotal moment when Darnold showed improvement during a Week 17 game in Tampa, with the NFC South title within reach. although the Panthers’ loss, Darnold’s touchdown pass to DJ Moore on third down from the Buccaneers’ 24-yard line demonstrated significant progress. Later, another touchdown to Shi Smith, his third option, revealed how he managed to excel under pressure.
“In the red zone, everything moves quicker,” McAdoo said. “It requires sharp reads, yet he executed those progressions flawlessly. I thought, ‘This guy has potential!'”
After the 2022 season, as Darnold entered free agency, McAdoo wished for Carolina to retain interim head coach Steve Wilks and re-sign Darnold to build on their progress. but, the Panthers moved in a different direction.
“Often, the quarterback takes the heat, but not all blame lies with him,” said backup quarterback P.J. Walker, who also started games that season. “The overall situation was challenging. The offense, defense, and special teams never aligned well together.”
AS SAN FRANCISCO’S QBs coach, Griese examined all the available quarterbacks leading into the 2023 offseason and quickly realized Darnold stood out among the rest. “He’s one of the top two or three throwers in the league,” Griese stated.
With starter Brock Purdy recovering from elbow surgery and uncertainty surrounding his return, the 49ers needed a reliable backup.
“Upon reviewing his tape, I noticed he lacked foundational support in his first few years in the league,” Griese explained. “I was confident he possessed the right talent; it was just a matter of persuading him to join San Francisco to be a backup.”
Darnold had various opportunities to compete for starting positions around the league but opted for San Francisco, seeking a year to learn from Kyle Shanahan.
“He took a significant pay cut to be there,” Palmer noted. “A few of us emphasized he needed a redshirt year, like attending Harvard or night school, to sit down with [Kyle] Shanahan.”
Griese was upfront with Darnold during recruitment, discussing areas requiring improvement, especially his penchant for turnovers, including 55 interceptions and 35 fumbles over 46 games during his first five seasons.
“He was inconsistent at times,” Griese added. “It’s nearly impossible to play this position in the NFL while harboring any doubt. I could see it on tape, and we discussed it.”
Griese’s pitch was compelling: the Niners’ coaching staff and Shanahan’s scheme could help Darnold regain confidence in his decision-making on the field.
“I told him he needed to adopt a higher perspective regarding his journey,” said Griese. “Understanding his strengths, his past situations, and how we could build a solid foundation that enabled him to realize his potential. That was something he embraced.”
Even approaching his sixth season, he was only 26 years old, and the Niners’ staff believed he still had room to grow.
“He knew, I have at least 10 more years to play, and I want to excel for a long time. That mindset is unique,” a Niners source commented.
In the first quarterback meeting of the offseason program, Griese queried the QBs about why they play. When it was Darnold’s turn, he articulated his relationships with teammates during his Jets tenure and the difficulty of returning to the locker room week after week after disappointing losses. “When you pour your heart and soul into something and see no progress while the structure around you disintegrates,” Griese conveyed.
Seattle run game coordinator Rick Dennison, who served as the Jets’ offensive line coach during Darnold’s rookie season in 2018, summed up that year: “While other teams learned how to win, we figured out how to lose.”
During a press conference in Super Bowl week, Darnold reflected, saying his time with the Jets taught him to “let go of bad plays and poor games.”
“Early in my career, I was overly critical of myself,” he admitted. “After a bad practice or play, I’d allow it to affect my mindset. … It’s just football; perfection isn’t realistic. As Jerry Rice stated, he never had a perfect practice or game.”
Darnold’s reflections offered valuable insights for Purdy, according to Griese, as the second-year starter and last pick of the 2022 draft held an overly idealistic view. Purdy stepped in as a rookie midseason following Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury, performing well and helping the Niners reach the NFC Championship Game in his debut year.
“We boast incredible support systems from the organization,” Griese noted. “This can lead a young player to believe that success is always the expected outcome.”
During organized team activities and training camp, the Niners staff quickly recognized Darnold’s untapped potential, notably his “underrated” athleticism.
“His ability to roll left while making throws against his body is exceptional,” Griese pointed out. “His ease in executing bootlegs to the left, which Klint [Kubiak] frequently utilizes, is remarkable.”
Darnold played only one game that season, a Week 18 encounter against the Los Angeles Rams where both teams rested starters. Nevertheless, he showcased enough during his supportive role that multiple sources indicated Niners assistant general manager Adam Peters, who was hired that January as the Washington Commanders general manager, made significant efforts to sign Darnold.
but, the Commanders, armed with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, were set to select a quarterback, so Darnold opted for a one-year contract with the Vikings, who planned to draft a quarterback later in the first round.
Following a preseason injury to rookie J.J. McCarthy, Darnold ended up starting the entire season, leading the Vikings to the playoffs and marking his first postseason appearance.
Darnold and the Vikings achieved 14 wins but lost the final game of the regular season against Detroit while vying for a playoff bye. afterward, Minnesota was eliminated in the wild-card round at the hands of the Rams, who sacked Darnold nine times.
“He was tasked with leading the team to 14 wins,” reflected then-Vikings backup quarterback Nick Mullens. “Now that he’s nearly surrounded by a complete football team, it doesn’t surprise me. Seattle boasts a strong run game.”
Back-to-back defeats in crucial postseason matchups tested the Vikings’ faith in Darnold as questions arose about his ability to perform in high-stakes situations.
“It wasn’t solely Sam’s fault,” Mullens asserted. “Just two weeks before those games, he was a coveted free agent, and after a couple of poor performances, the conversations shifted to doubts about his capabilities. Such rapid judgments seem unfair.”
Minnesota allowed Darnold to depart after his standout year and opted to proceed with McCarthy for 2025. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell stated that Darnold had “earned the opportunity” to explore free agency.
“To win 14 games in the NFL and question your own capabilities? That’s tough,” Mullens expressed. “What more do you want—an undefeated record?”
ON SATURDAY NIGHT before each game, Darnold, Seattle backup quarterback Drew Lock, and QB3 Jalen Milroe gather around a table in the team hotel ballroom about an hour before team dinner. They review every play on the call sheet together, focusing especially on those not included on the wristband.
“I’ll call it out to him,” Lock mentioned. “He’ll repeat it back to me, and we’ll discuss all options and alerts. I’d recommend this approach to any quarterback.”
This group study session on Saturday nights is a new routine for Lock. Prior to joining forces with Darnold this season, he used to study independently at home every afternoon before heading to the team hotel.
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp also arrives an hour early, treating the quarterbacks to orders of pho, the Vietnamese soup dish. Kupp takes on the responsibility of scouting pho spots for each road trip, and the group rates and reviews his selections like a trio of food critics after their call sheet review.
“We get more time together over dinner,” remarked Lock. “It’s also beneficial since many team members come early and witness our dedication to preparing together.”
Griese noted that Darnold adopted the quarterback group study habit from Purdy’s preparation during his previous year in San Francisco and has continued it since.
“What could a player with five years of experience learn from a second-year player?” Griese questioned. “Yet, Sam embraced that opportunity.”
In March, Seattle GM John Schneider traded quarterback Geno Smith to the Raiders and signed Darnold as a free agent, a move that some viewed skeptically.
“All I heard was that people had written him off,” said Seattle linebacker Ernest Jones IV following the NFC title game. “Immediately after his signing, expectations were that we would regress compared to last year.”
Jones and many teammates have taken on the role of defending Darnold. Kupp wore an “I <3 Sam Darnold” shirt at a Super Bowl media event. After Darnold’s four-interception game against the Rams in Week 11, Jones expressed his support emphatically.
“Sam’s performing at a high level,” Jones said postgame. “If we’re going to judge him based on that game, he’s contributed to keeping us competitive in every single outing. So when he claims responsibility, that’s not accurate.”
When Darnold’s high school coach Jaime Ortiz witnessed Jones defending him, he sent a San Clemente Tritons football shirt accompanied by a note thanking him for his support.
“It’s heartening to see someone stand up for Sam, especially since he takes accountability when things don’t go well,” Ortiz noted.
“He’s my QB; you leave him alone,” Jones declared during Super Bowl week. “From the moment we met him, regardless of any labels he had previously, he received a fresh start with us, and he has shown he deserves to lead us here.”
On the Thursday prior to Seattle’s first playoff game against San Francisco, Darnold sustained a left oblique injury during practice. Lock noted that he didn’t throw again until the game, and Macdonald confirmed he had limited practice ahead of Seattle’s NFC Championship Game win over the Rams, in which he threw for three touchdowns and 346 yards. He was restricted during eight practices up until the Thursday before the Super Bowl.
Lock, having undergone a similar oblique injury, understands what Darnold has been enduring.
“You feel it in every movement,” Lock explained. “Especially while throwing. Our oblique injuries may not have been identical, but the discomfort is real.”
Lock mentioned that his own injury prompted him to take a Toradol shot on gameday, despite being a backup, for precautionary measures. “Those oblique injuries are serious business.”
As Darnold has performed admirably despite the injury and kept it under wraps publicly, Lock pointed out that few outside the team recognize the challenges Darnold has faced in the final two games leading up to the Super Bowl. “You can see how sharp Sam is mechanically; he manages to perform while convincing himself that nothing’s amiss and still delivers the football effectively. That’s a true feat.”
Sam Darnold throws the 1st TD of Super Bowl LX to AJ Barner
Sam Darnold finds AJ Barner in the end zone for a 16-yard Seahawks touchdown.
THE VIKINGS FIRED general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah the Friday after Darnold led his team to a Super Bowl appearance in a spectacular matchup against Matthew Stafford. The timing of the firing, occurring after Adofo-Mensah’s week at the Senior Bowl, made connections with Darnold’s success for another team impossible to ignore. Following Adofo-Mensah’s dismissal, numerous Vikings players, including receiver Justin Jefferson, conducted press tours praising Darnold and expressing a desire for him to still be their quarterback.
“I genuinely believe we would have fared better with Darnold,” Jefferson told USA Today.
“We had the pieces necessary last year,” stated Vikings running back Aaron Jones on the Nightcap podcast. “but, we aren’t GMs; that’s outside our purview. When a quarterback has a solid backing, and he wishes to stay, teams should strive to make it work.”
Jamal Adams, who played alongside Darnold during his first two seasons in New York, termed Minnesota’s decision a “head-scratcher.”
“Why would you let him go?” he asked ESPN.
Former Jets GM Mike Maccagnan expressed to ESPN, “You’d think after winning 14 games, they would have found a way to retain him. Personally, I would have prioritized keeping him. You can never have too many good quarterbacks.”
Darnold’s career presents a lesson for both clubs and quarterbacks, provided they’re receptive to it.
“You can’t dismiss him without understanding the context,” remarked the source close to the Niners. “Players like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, who possess confidence, self-belief, and mental fortitude should not be written off if they have talent.”
“It’s simple to label someone as a ‘bust’,” added the same source. “but, the surrounding environment significantly influences why they initially struggled.”
Darnold didn’t allow the challenging circumstances to define or defeat him. He reflected inwardly, engaged in difficult conversations, and reached honest conclusions. Eight seasons later, he salvaged his career by embracing patience in his development and trust that his unconventional choices would yield rewards.
It’s noteworthy that Mac Jones, another first-round pick (2021) labeled a “bust,” represented by the same agency as Darnold, is following a similar trajectory as a backup quarterback with the Niners.
And for those still skeptical, Darnold remains unfazed, and his supporters are confident that there’s more to come.
“This trajectory didn’t arise out of nowhere,” Palmer stated. “It began in his final year in Carolina and continued with his consistent dedication in practice. You can ask the Niners staff off the record—they anticipated this development. Everyone was vying for Sam that year, and he opted for the Vikings, while Kevin O’Connell won [NFL] Coach of the Year accolades and received all the acclaim. But what about a nod for Sam?”
“This pattern is repeatable. Just wait until you witness how successful the Seahawks will be in three years; he won’t be learning the system like he did this offseason. Anyone who thinks this success manifested overnight is mistaken; this is how legacies begin.”
–ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini contributed to this story.
