Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Kole Musgrove

NFC West Watch: Sam Darnold “work in progress” w/ 49ers offense

The Seattle Seahawks’ arch rivals by the Bay, the San Francisco 49ers, have issues at quarterback. Primarily, none of them can ever seem to stay healthy!

San Francisco’s inability to keep a quarterback healthy prompted them to sign former Jets and Panthers starter Sam Darnold. Say whatever you will about Darnold, but durability is not a concern the way it has been for Jimmy Garoppolo or Trey Lance.

What could be of a concern, however, is how fast Darnold is able to pick up head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. According to Darnold himself, there is still a road ahead of him.

It’s been a work in progress,” Darnold said. “I thought I got better throughout (mini) camp and just got more comfortable with the system, so I still got to study and go through the process of continuing to learn the system. But I’m excited for it, and it’s been really fun so far.

Late last month, I wrote about how Adam Schefter of ESPN believed Darnold will be the likely backup to second year quarterback Brock Purdy (assuming he is healthy). This would leave former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance the No. 3 on the depth chart.

Although, if Darnold continues to struggle picking up Shanahan’s offense, an inside track could open up for Lance, given his time in San Francisco.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Every NFL team’s non-QB MVP for 2023

Ranking the league’s top 23 running backs

5 position battles to follow at training camp

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.