NFL

Sam Darnold Credits Brock Purdy For Unlocking His NFL Potential

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Anthony Cardenas
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Anthony Cardenas Sports Editor

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Sports Editor

Published16 Mar 2025

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Sam Darnold had a career resurgence in 2024. After struggling to find his footing during his first six seasons in the NFL, the former 3rd overall pick ranked in the top-5 in many of the important statistical categories, and led the Minnesota Vikings to a 14-3 record.

One of the keys to his success, he says, was what he learned during his one year with the San Francisco 49ers and Brock Purdy.

Brock Purdy Helped Unlock Sam Darnold’s NFL Potential

After spending two lackluster years with the Carolina Panthers, Darnold signed on with the 49ers in 2023 in order to serve as the team’s backup. Brock Purdy was entering his second season, and had solidified his spot as San Francisco’s starter. The team would go 12-5 and made it all the way to the Super Bowl, where they came up short against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Darnold made spot appearances during the season, and started the season finale. It was the least active season of his career in terms of playing time, but he says that the things that he learned helped him have his best NFL season in 2024.

In his introductory press conference after signing with the Seattle Seahawks, Darnold said that watching and learning from the younger Purdy helped his mindset.

He said that Purdy described himself as a point guard, surrounded by talented players who he simply needed to get the ball to. Darnold took on that same mentality of simply getting the ball into the hands of the playmakers, and that is where things “unlocked” for him.

Sam Darnold finished the 2024 campaign with 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdowns, both easily career highs, and was the top NFL free agent quarterback on the market this year. He signed with the Seahawks after they traded Geno Smith, and inked a 3-year deal worth just over $100 million.