NFL Legend Steve Young Tells the Truth on Sam Darnold's Time With 49ers

Darnold started his NFL career in 2018 as the New York Jets’ third overall pick in the draft. He spent the first three years of his career with the Jets before suiting up for the Carolina Panthers for 2021 and 2022.

In 2023, Darnold signed with the 49ers on a one-year deal worth $3.5 million. He played 10 games for the Niners that year (just one start), which were all in the regular season. Darnold did not see any playing time in the playoffs as the 49ers went all the way to the Super Bowl. They ultimately lost to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.   

In his 10 appearances for the 49ers, Darnold produced 28-of-46 completed passes for 297 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Despite Darnold’s lack of opportunities in San Francisco, Young believes that it was an important phase in the former USC Trojans star’s career.

"[Quarterbacks] need tons of help to allow you to go show how great you can be," Young said on Tuesday during the screening of “The Rise of the 49ers,” AMC’s new docuseries. "If you do not get that help, you are limited in how great you can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t be good, but to be great, you need help—and there are not 32 places in the league today that give you that help. In fact, I wouldn’t say there are 15.”

"So I’m saying he found the skies parted when he came to San Francisco. I remember him talking about how much impact it had on his career and how to look at the position. He didn’t realize there was so much help to be had."

Young then touched on Darnold’s decision to leave the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 to reunite with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak in Seattle. Kubiak was the 49ers’ passing game coordinator during Darnold’s time with the team.

"Once he felt that, he made sure to go and stay in the family,” Young continued. “He went to Minnesota. He made sure with Klint, he was going to Seattle. I need to stay in the family because I now know these guys understand how to make my job easier and tougher on the defense—and now I can show how great I am. That’s exactly what’s happened."

Darnold is now at the peak of his career. He has an opportunity to achieve what Young did three times in his career: win a Super Bowl.

Standing in Darnold and the Seahawks’ way are Drake Maye and the New England Patriots. Super Bowl LX is on Feb. 8. Incidentally, it will be played at the 49ers’ home field, Levi’s Stadium.