Sam Darnold is headed to the Super Bowl - but this time, he’s wearing Seahawks blue and green, not the red and gold of the 49ers. And while that might sting a little for Niners fans, there’s no denying that Darnold’s short stint in San Francisco played a pivotal role in turning his career around.
Just ask Steve Young. The Hall of Fame quarterback, who knows a thing or two about what it takes to thrive under center, made it clear at the premiere of the upcoming Rise of the 49ers documentary: Darnold’s time in the Bay wasn’t just a footnote - it was a turning point.
“Quarterbacks need tons of help to allow you to go show how great you can be,” Young said. “If you do not get that help, you are limited in how great you can be.
And there are not 32 places in the league today that can give you that help. The skies parted when he came to San Francisco.”
That’s not just a compliment - that’s an acknowledgment of how rare it is for a quarterback to land in the right environment. Darnold had spent the early part of his career trying to outrun dysfunction in New York and Carolina. When he arrived in San Francisco, he finally got to operate within a system built to elevate quarterbacks, not overwhelm them.
Under Kyle Shanahan’s guidance, Darnold found structure, clarity, and purpose. Even though he wasn’t the starter, the experience of learning Shanahan’s scheme - widely regarded as one of the most complex and quarterback-friendly systems in the league - gave him something he hadn’t had before: a real shot to grow.
He didn’t see the field often during his year with the 49ers, but when he did, he looked poised and in control. More importantly, he soaked up everything he could from the quarterback room, especially from Brock Purdy. That dynamic turned out to be crucial.
Purdy, who famously describes himself as more of a "point guard" than a hero-ball type of quarterback, helped shift Darnold’s mindset. Darnold had spent years trying to do it all - force plays, carry teams, and play outside of structure.
Watching Purdy succeed by distributing the ball and trusting the system was a revelation. Darnold learned that playing within the offense, leaning on playmakers, and minimizing mistakes wasn’t just safer - it was effective.
That shift in philosophy has paid off. Darnold has now won 14 regular-season games in back-to-back years.
That’s not a coincidence - that’s growth. That’s a quarterback who’s figured out how to win in this league by playing smart, efficient football.
So while Seahawks fans are now fully on board the Darnold train, it’s worth remembering where that train got back on track. San Francisco didn’t just give Darnold a jersey - it gave him a second chance. And he made the most of it.
No one’s expecting Seahawks fans to send thank-you notes to Levi’s Stadium if Darnold hoists the Lombardi Trophy. But if he does, you can bet there’ll be a few knowing nods from the 49ers faithful - and from Steve Young - recognizing that, for a brief moment, the skies really did part for Sam Darnold in San Francisco.