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49ers legend Joe Montana 'all for Sam Darnold' in Super Bowl LX

Originally posted on 49ers Webzone | By David Bonilla | Last updated Jan 28, 2026 12:50 AM ET

San Francisco 49ers legend Joe Montana left little doubt about where his rooting interest lies for Super Bowl LX. Prepare yourself, Faithful. The Hall of Fame quarterback revealed he will be pulling for the Seattle Seahawks to defeat the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, February 8, largely because of his support for quarterback Sam Darnold.

"Heck yeah. I'm all for Sam Darnold," Montana said on ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show. "The things that he's been through, the places that he's played, the games that he's won, even here in San Francisco, before he got to Minnesota. I mean, c'mon.

"I saw the stat the other day, on Sunday, he's won 28 games in the last two teams he was with. And he's now getting another chance here, and he's doing the same thing. I'm pulling for him."

"JSN is so talented and I love what Sam Darnold is doing..
I'm pulling for him and I'm happy for him"@JoeMontana #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/VVb9pGPs9o
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 27, 2026

H/t to Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area for the find.

Montana's comments may be tough for some 49ers fans to hear, given San Francisco's longstanding rivalry with Seattle. More recently, the Seahawks defeated the 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Week 18 to claim the NFC's No. 1 seed, then eliminated San Francisco from the postseason two weeks later with a 41–6 blowout.

Darnold, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, endured early-career struggles with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers. His career took a positive turn in 2023 with the 49ers, where he worked under head coach Kyle Shanahan and alongside quarterback Brock Purdy.

That resurgence carried over to Minnesota in 2024 and ultimately led to a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seahawks in 2025. Now, Darnold is one win away from capturing his first Super Bowl title.

"I'm an NFC guy most of the time anyway, but I'm all about Sam," Montana added. "He's a good guy, a good player, and I'm happy for him."

This article first appeared on 49ers Webzone and was syndicated with permission.

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