Sam Darnold’s path to the Super Bowl represents a remarkable turnaround fueled by persistence and resilience. For teams around the league, the Super Bowl is an event they dream about for years, but for Darnold, the journey has come full circle, returning to San Francisco—the city that eventually offered him redemption after difficult spells in New York and Carolina. Few expected this former first-round pick, once written off as a bust, to reach the biggest stage in football again.
Darnold first found himself on the sidelines in San Francisco two years ago, backing up Brock Purdy as the 49ers fell short against Kansas City. His brief success in relief roles caught the attention of the Minnesota Vikings, where he enjoyed a surprising resurgence before signing with the Seattle Seahawks. Now, as a key player heading into Sunday’s Super Bowl against the New England Patriots, Darnold defies the expectations set by his early career struggles.
“I grew up watching a ton of great football players and teams get to this moment and make great plays,”
Darnold said earlier this week.
“I was always emulating those plays in my yard with friends. I always dreamed of moments like this.”
The Rocky Start and Growing Pains in the NFL
Darnold’s entry into the NFL came with high hopes during the 2018 draft, as fans of the New York Jets envisioned a return to Super Bowl contention. His dynamic, gunslinging style and ability to create in chaotic moments earned him comparisons to Brett Favre. Despite these comparisons, Darnold fell to third overall because other teams prioritized different quarterbacks, including Baker Mayfield, fueling the Jets’ fan campaign to “Suck for Sam” the previous season with a focus on acquiring his talent.
His rookie season was steady under Coach Todd Bowles, but the arrival of Adam Gase, known for a strict offensive system, limited Darnold’s development. His inconsistent mechanics and tendency to avoid pressure by scrambling often left fans frustrated. In 2020, Darnold recorded the worst completion percentage in the league and failed to exceed 240 passing yards in any of his 12 starts. The Jets managed only two wins that year, turning hope into disappointment among supporters, who then mocked his struggles, including circulating memes about his illness-related absences.
In 2021, a trade to the Carolina Panthers sparked brief optimism. However, Darnold’s modest improvement was not enough to retain the starting position, as he was supplanted first by Cam Newton and later by Mayfield. Ultimately, Carolina released him in 2023 to prioritize their top draft pick, Bryce Young.
Rebuilding Confidence in San Francisco’s Competitive Quarterback Group
Facing uncertainty about his NFL future, Darnold seized a low-profile, one-year deal with the 49ers and competed fiercely in training camp alongside Brock Purdy and Trey Lance—both former first-round picks themselves. Darnold’s early performance raised questions about whether he could surpass Purdy, who was recovering from an elbow injury. While Purdy ultimately secured the starting role, Darnold’s successful return to backup status over Lance marked a critical step forward in his rehabilitation as a quarterback.
Darnold credits much of this resurgence to his work with San Francisco’s head coach Kyle Shanahan, whom he praises for fundamentally reshaping his understanding of the game.
“To have Kyle as a coach, to hear him talk about football during OTAs and training camp, when we had a ton of time with him as quarterbacks – I soaked in all of those moments,”
Darnold reflected.
“He talked about football in a way I had really never heard before.”
This period also launched a collaboration with passing game coordinator Klint Kubiak, whose honest feedback helped refine Darnold’s approach.
“Myself and a lot of the guys really appreciate that about him,”
Darnold added.
Breakout Season in Minnesota and Ongoing Challenges
After viewing Brock Purdy’s stability during the 2023 season, Darnold pursued a new opportunity with the Vikings, signing another prove-it deal. There, he produced career-best numbers, completing 66% of his passes for 4,319 yards and throwing 35 touchdowns while guiding Minnesota into the playoffs. This breakout stunned many who had long dismissed him from serious quarterback conversations.
Despite his success, questions lingered about Darnold’s performance in high-pressure games. A critical blowout loss against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional round exposed doubts over his mental fortitude in postseason clashes, leading the Vikings to part ways. Minnesota’s decision to move forward with top draft pick JJ McCarthy left Darnold searching for a new home.
New Beginnings and Super Bowl Success with Seattle
Seizing the Vikings’ departure as an opening, the Seattle Seahawks signed Darnold to a three-year, $55 million contract last March, a sum far beyond the expectations of many critics. Darnold responded by leading Seattle to the top of the NFC with poised, near-flawless performances, culminating in a Super Bowl berth that few foresaw. His journey from backup to key starter has been acknowledged widely in the league.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, who will face Darnold in the Super Bowl, remarked on the perseverance that has defined his career.
“What a career he’s had, just to battle the life of the NFL. He’s battled not playing for years, and being the backup to getting his chance and just making the most of it. It’s been awesome to see.”
Reflecting on a Career Marked by Resilience and Redemption
Throughout Super Bowl week, journalists representing Darnold’s former teams have extended support on behalf of fans once disappointed by his early setbacks. Though he has every reason to highlight his former teams’ failures, Darnold chooses instead to maintain perspective and gratitude for his experiences.
“I knew I could do this at a high level, and that’s what kept me going. I knew at some point an opportunity would arise,”
he said, acknowledging the many obstacles along the way.
Darnold’s journey underscores the unpredictable nature of professional football careers and emphasizes the power of perseverance. His unlikely rise from struggles in New York and Carolina to the biggest stage in the sport offers hope to players facing adversity and proves that second chances can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
