The San Francisco 49ers' 2024 quarterback room won't include veteran Sam Darnold. NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reports that the Minnesota Vikings are signing Darnold to a one-year deal worth $10 million, a move that has been predicted for a while now. The contract can become official on Wednesday, at the start of the new league year.
Darnold will try to help fill the void left by Kirk Cousins' departure. The veteran quarterback signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
A new QB in Minnesota: The #Vikings are expected to sign #49ers QB Sam Darnold, per me and @TomPelissero.
Darnold gets a 1-year deal worth $10M, sources say, and joins former teammate Josh McCown, who is Minnesota's new QB coach.
Kirk Cousins out, Darnold in. pic.twitter.com/QzrZDJ1Sdq
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2024
The New York Jets drafted Darnold (6-3, 225) out of USC with the No. 3 overall pick in 2018. Serving as Brock Purdy's backup, Darnold completed 28 of 46 attempts (60.9 percent) for 297 yards with two touchdowns and an interception while adding 15 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on 21 carries through 10 game appearances (one start) with the 49ers last season, per Pro Football Reference.
Last year, the 49ers signed Darnold to a one-year deal. He beat out Trey Lance for the QB2 job in Santa Clara, resulting in Lance being traded to the Dallas Cowboys ahead of the regular season. Purdy and recently re-signed Brandon Allen are the only 49ers quarterbacks currently under contract.
Darnold, 26, has completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 12,064 yards with 63 touchdowns and 56 interceptions while also accumulating 760 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns on 209 carries in 66 game appearances (56 starts) over his six NFL seasons with the Jets, Carolina Panthers, and 49ers.