Why can’t the Jets get players like this?
Last we left Sam Darnold, the former first-round pick was trying to resurrect his career at 49ers training camp.
So far, so good.
The quarterback’s limited-mistake performances early in camp have the former Jets quarterback on track to backup emerging star Brock Purdy.
Darnold, 26, is battling Trey Lance, the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.
The two have been splitting time with the second team during 49ers practices but Darnold has taken more reps with the unit, according to Sports Illustrated.
Earlier this week, both quarterbacks got opportunities to run with the first-team offense while Purdy, who’s recovering from elbow surgery, took a breather.
While Darnold hasn’t shined everyday, the USC product has strung together some consistent reps.
Darnold hasn’t thrown a single interception during his first training camp with San Francisco, according to Sports Illustrated.
The 49ers brought Darnold in on a one-year, $4.5 million deal during the offseason after quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo left and inked a 3-year, $72.75 million contract with the Raiders.
Purdy, 23, has pretty much cemented himself as San Francisco’s franchise quarterback after taking over in the 2022 season when Lance and Garoppolo both went down with injuries.
Lance initially earned the starting role over Garoppolo last year, but his sophomore campaign was cut short in Week 2 when he suffered an ankle injury and underwent season-ending surgery.
Garoppolo replaced Lance as the starter, but was subsequently sidelined with an injury in December.
Those injuries paved the way for Purdy and Mr. Irrelevant didn’t disappoint, with the final selection in the 2022 NFL Draft winning his first seven starts – playoffs included.
The 49ers ultimately lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in January’s NFC Championship Game when Purdy joined San Francisco’s walking wounded with a debilitating right elbow injury.
Purdy spent the offseason recovering from torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) surgery and the new (and former) QB1 appears to be at full health ahead of the 2023 season.
“We’re not worried about Brock,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said, according to Sports Illustrated. “Brock’s the real deal. He knows how to play.”
“It’s very rare to see a guy coming into a situation like he did last year,” teammate and linebacker Oren Burks added.
“He handled himself like a pro. Ultimately, getting the opportunity to play. I think he handled that probably better than any rookie I’ve seen with that opportunity.”
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