Former 49ers QB Sam Darnold is Signing With the Vikings

Sam Darnold is leaving the San Francisco 49ers in free agency to sign a one-year $10 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings.

One and done.

Sam Darnold is leaving the San Francisco 49ers in free agency to sign a one-year $10 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The 49ers had re-signed Brandon Allen, which gave a heavy indication that Darnold would not be back. Sure enough, Darnold finds himself on another team in back to back free agency periods. This time around he gets a shot at being the starter.

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

Darnold finishes his 49ers career with one start, which came in the regular season finale against the Los Angeles Rams. He completed 16-of-26 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown. He also got some action in Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens where he completed 8-of-14 passes for 81 yards, one touchdowns, and a pick.

Now that he is with the Vikings, it is clear Darnold has not given up on pursuing chances of being a starter again. He's only 26 years old, which is what makes him alluring as well as driving him to not give up. It is very likely that had the 49ers offered him a deal that he doesn't take it.

A chance to be the starter is not possible here with Brock Purdy. Thankfully the 49ers did not give Darnold, or any other quarterback, a nice payday. It is time for the 49ers to stop investing so much into the backup quarterback position. For years they have treated it as valuable as they would a starter.

But now the 49ers have a dependable quarterback poised to be better in 2024. I'd imagine the 49ers are content with Allen as the backup, then they will look to draft someone to mold as the year progresses. So, it'll be Purdy, Allen, and a rookie in the quarterback room I would guess.