49ers HC compares Sam Darnold to Hall of Fame QB

Kyle Shanahan's latest statement about 49ers backup quarterback Sam Darnold should raise eyebrows.

"I mean, Steve Young took a while to get going, and he's one of the best quarterbacks of all time," the 49ers head coach said, via Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle. "I don't like to compare anyone to Steve because of how good he was, but why can't Sam be like that? He's got that type of ability. He is that type of person. And I'm just pumped we could get him here."

Young, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, toiled for two seasons with Tampa Bay, posting a 3-16 starting record before San Francisco acquired him in 1987. Afterward, he became the successor to fellow HOFer Joe Montana and won a Super Bowl.

Darnold, the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, failed to meet expectations in first five NFL seasons with the Jets and Panthers. He has a 21-34 starting record and has only completed 59.7 percent of his passes. Yet could Darnold turn around his career in San Francisco just like Young did?

Although Shanahan believes Darnold possesses some upside, it's unlikely he'll become a franchise centerpiece. Second-year QB Brock Purdy is the presumptive starter after recording a 107.3 passer rating in nine games, leading San Francisco to its second consecutive NFC championship appearance.

Although the 23-year-old tore the UCL in his right elbow in the conference title game against the Eagles and underwent surgery this offseason, 49ers GM John Lynch said "he's cleared and ready to go" for training camp during a Tuesday news conference.

Perhaps Shanahan made the statement about Darnold to motivate Purdy to raise his game, which could help the 49ers end their 29-year championship drought.