John Lynch, 49ers 'incredibly impressed' with Sam Darnold this season – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers decided not to take any chances with Pro Bowl quarterback Brock Purdy in the regular-season finale.

This opens the door for backup quarterback Sam Darnold to show if his prowess on the practice field will carry over into games while running the 49ers offense.

“As an organization, we're very happy with him,” 49ers general manager John Lynch said of Darnold during a Friday morning appearance on KNBR's “Murph & Markus.”

“And I think everyone is excited that he has the opportunity to play this week and see what he can do against the Rams.”

Darnold is scheduled to make his first start for the 49ers on Sunday in a Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, prompting the team to keep Purdy on the sidelines.

Darnold, 26, signed a one-year contract with the 49ers at a time when it was uncertain how Purdy would respond after surgery in March to repair a torn ligament in his elbow.

He clearly beat out Trey Lance for the backup job, prompting the 49ers to trade Lance to the Dallas Cowboys for a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The 49ers traded up to select Lance third overall in 2021.

Darnold entered the NFL in 2018 as the No. 3 overall pick of the New York Jets, where he mostly struggled in 38 starts over three seasons.

Then, as part of an equally inept Carolina organization the past two seasons, Darnold started 17 games for the Panthers, going 8-9 in those appearances.

Darnold signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the 49ers in the offseason.

“I was incredibly impressed that Sam was able to do so many things this season,” Lynch said. “I think he could have made more money somewhere else, but Sam wanted to be a part of what we had. He wanted to be a part of going in the lab with Kyle Shanahan and his offensive coaches.”

“And he knew that would mean backing Brock Purdy. We were clear: Hey, if Brock is healthy, he's our guy.”

In limited playing time this season, Darnold has completed 12 of 20 pass attempts for 108 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

There's no doubt why Darnold enters the NFL as a coveted pick. He's a talented thrower, and it looks like he's continuing to look good this week while sharing practice snaps with Purdy.

“He's earned everyone's respect, and oh my gosh, is he a talented shooter,” Lynch said of Darnold. “Again, yesterday outside of practice, he can do some things. You talk (about) arm talent — it's a buzzword that gets thrown around — but if you want to know what arm talent is, just watch Sam Darnold.

“He can do some special things with the ball.”

Darnold's contract expires at the end of this season, and it's clear the 49ers want him back. The only question is whether there will be better opportunities for him elsewhere in the NFL.

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