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Niners Dilemma: Start Sam Darnold, Trey Lance, Or Brock Purdy?

By Hunter Haas

Jan 14, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) signals his teammates in the first quarter during a wild card game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) signals his teammates in the first quarter during a wild card game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Carolina Panthers arrive at Wofford College for their 2022 training camp. The team plans to host 12 training camp practices that are free and open to the public. This Saturday July 30, the team will hold the ‘Back Together’ event at Gibbs Stadium at the college. The Panthers’ Sam Darnold talks about working with his fellow players at training camp.Spa Pathers July 26 Arrive36
The Carolina Panthers arrive at Wofford College for their 2022 training camp. The team plans to host 12 training camp practices that are free and open to the public. This Saturday July 30, the team will hold the ‘Back Together’ event at Gibbs Stadium at the college. The Panthers’ Sam Darnold talks about working with his fellow players at training camp.Spa Pathers July 26 Arrive36 /

Sam Darnold

The Case For Starting Sam Darnold

One could argue that Sam Darnold never got a fair chance to develop in the NFL. The Jets were nothing short of a mess during his time, from the top of the organization to the bottom. The same could be said about the Panthers in 2021 and 2022, as Carolina fired head coach Matt Rhule midway through Darnold’s second season with the franchise.

The Niners are the polar opposite, as the front office has established itself as one of the best in sports — not just football. Kyle Shanahan is a brilliant offensive mind, and if he can have Garoppolo performing at such a high level, Darnold can offer a more talented game manager at quarterback.

The Case Against Starting Sam Darnold

To put it mildly, Darnold has put very few positives on tape since entering the league. He is talented, to be sure, but the 26-year-old quarterback suffers from poor decision-making as he drops back. His career completion percentage is below 60 percent, and Darnold’s 55 interceptions in only 55 career starts are concerning, to say the least.

The Niners are built to win right now, so pushing the chips in on a journeyman like Darnold could blow up in their face. As a spot starter, the sixth-year veteran is serviceable. As *the* guy behind center? You are flirting with disaster.

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