Every week, the NFL delivers a remarkable range of stories. I like to use this spot to encapsulate that broad expanse here.
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The Good: Offensive Ecosystems Matter
Before Sam Darnold starred at quarterback for the Vikings and won Super Bowl LX with the Seahawks, he spent a year as the 49ers' backup to Brock Purdy.
As Profootballtalk.com's Myles Simmons noted, that 2023 season spent with San Francisco was critical for Darnold's development.
Darnold went into that season having spent his first three seasons with the Jets before two seasons with the Panthers. And while Darnold did not play much -- he started an inconsequential Week 18 game against the Carson Wentz-led Rams -- he said in a recent interview that he picked up a lot from his time in the Bay Area.
"I think going to San Francisco, I mean, shoot, you guys saw what Mac Jones did this year. I understood that quarterbacks in that system, quarterbacks with Kyle [Shanahan] -- you look at Brock [Purdy] and all the success he's had there -- quarterbacks just thrive in that system. It's also because they have really good players.
"But, just getting to know that system and getting to know those coaches, like that's really why I decided to be a backup in San Francisco. I thought that would be the best place just to go. And people say it all the time, and I've heard it, but I feel like I got my PhD in football when I went to San Francisco."
Darnold credited the 49ers' coaching staff, led by Shanahan, for part of his growth. But he also noted that watching the high-caliber players around him made a significant difference.
"I've talked about learning from Brock quite a bit," Darnold said. "But all the great players that are over there -- George Kittle, Fred Warner, Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, of course -- you have all these studs who are over there. And to learn their habits and stuff that they do in the offseason, how they get better, it was just such a great opportunity for me just to go there and be a sponge, and just learn so much football. Learn how to take care of my body off the field."
Since that time with the 49ers, Darnold has won 14 games in each of the last two seasons for Minnesota and Seattle. In 2025, he completed 67.7 percent of his passes for 4,048 yards with 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
In the postseason, he completed 61.5 percent of his throws for 672 yards with five TDs and no picks to earn his first Super Bowl ring.
Something's working, and the likely explanation is a good offensive ecosystem in San Francisco.
In a related note, Zach Wilson would like to reserve a spot on the Niners' roster when Jones moves on as a free agent next offseason.
