The San Francisco 49ers are ready for yet another Super Bowl appearance, and they’ll have quarterback Sam Darnold on the sideline in a key role for Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium.
If something happens to starting quarterback Brock Purdy, Darnold will step in and try to lead San Francisco to the Lombardi Trophy.
The former New York Jets and Carolina Panthers quarterback is one of the more prolific backup quarterbacks in the NFL, having been taken high in the 2018 NFL Draft out of USC.
Let’s talk a little more about Darnold’s road to San Francisco as we prepare to watch his team take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 Super Bowl.
1
He played college football at USC
Darnold played college ball at USC for the Trojans and played himself into prime prospect status for the 2018 NFL Draft in the first round.
2
The New York Jets drafted him with the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft
Darnold joined the Jets as the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, but he couldn’t establish himself as a long-term starter. He only made it three seasons before being traded to the Carolina Panthers.
3
He spent two seasons with the Panthers
Darnold’s next stop was in Carolina, where he played for the Panthers. However, that stint was also short-lived, as he left the franchise in the 2023 offseason.
4
He joined the 49ers to compete with Trey Lance for the backup QB role
After signing with the 49ers, he competed and eventually won the team’s backup quarterback role over former 2021 NFL Draft third overall pick Trey Lance, who was later traded to the Dallas Cowboys.
5
He started in Week 18 for the 49ers
During the 49ers’ regular season finale, Darnold got the start and threw for 189 yards and a touchdown and scrambled for 19 yards and a touchdown.
He did fumble the ball twice during his start and lost one of those, and San Francisco lost to the Los Angeles Rams 21-20 in that final game before the playoffs.
