The San Francisco 49ers are adding a veteran quarterback. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the team is signing Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold to a one-year deal. He will join Trey Lance and Brock Purdy in the 49ers' quarterback room.
49ers reached agreement on a one-year deal with former Panthers' QB Sam Darnold, per source. pic.twitter.com/rpJLf1YXxi
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2023
The New York Jets drafted Darnold (6-3, 225) out of USC with the No. 3 overall pick in 2018. He completed 82-of-140 attempts (58.6 percent) for 1,143 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions through six starts with the Panthers last season, per Pro Football Reference.
Sam Darnold has a 78.2 career passer rating, which ranks last among the 36 QBs who have thrown at least 1,000 passes since 2018. #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) March 13, 2023
The veteran quarterback spent part of the 2022 season on injured reserve due to a high-ankle sprain but started the season's final six games. Both Lance and Purdy are returning from injuries for the 49ers. Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury during Week 2 of his 2022 campaign. He should be full-go by organized team activities (OTAs) in May.
In the NFC Championship Game, Purdy suffered a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow. He is expected to begin throwing in about three months, followed by a three-month ramp-up period.
Darnold, 25, has completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 11,767 yards with 61 touchdowns and 55 interceptions in 56 game appearances (55 starts) through his five NFL seasons with the Jets and Panthers.