Six years ago, Sam Darnold was chosen by the New York Jets with the third overall pick of the NFL Draft. Now, he is the backup quarterback on a San Francisco 49ers club preparing for the Super Bowl.
This wasn’t how things were supposed to go for Darnold, who was considered a terrific prospect coming out of USC back in 2018.
When asked about his current situation, Darnold waxed about what could have been with the Jets.
“I always envisioned going deep in the playoffs with New York and being able to make a run at the Super Bowl,” Darnold said, via Brian Costello of The New York Post. “Obviously, that’s what you dream of as a kid. Right when I got drafted by the Jets, and still to this day it’s my goal to be able to bring a championship somewhere.”
Well, Darnold will have the opportunity to win a ring this Sunday when the 49ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs, even if it is in a different capacity than he initially envisioned.
“At the same time, you kind of understand what it takes, even in the backup role like I am right now you understand what it takes to actually make it here and actually get it done and not just dream of it and envision it,” he said. “It’s a lot of hard work, a lot of sacrifice.”
San Francisco signed Darnold to serve as Brock Purdy’s backup last March.
He made one start this season, going 16-for-26 with 189 yards and a touchdown in the Niners’ Week 18 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
The 26-year-old spent the first three years of his career with New York, going 13-25 as a starter. His best season came in 2019, when he threw for 3,024 yards, 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while completing 61.9 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 84.3.
While Sam Darnold showed flashes with the Jets, he was unable to demonstrate any consistency, which was why Gang Green traded him to the Carolina Panthers in March 2021.
He spent two years in Carolina before signing with the 49ers.
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