Shanahan ‘happy’ Darnold landed starting QB job with Vikings originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Sam Darnold’s move to the 49ers was short-lived, but he made a big impression on coach Kyle Shanahan during the 2023 NFL Season.
Darnold expected to face his former coach when San Francisco clashes with the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, with Shanahan revealing Wednesday that he thoroughly enjoyed coaching the former third overall pick last season.
“I loved having Sam here, he was a great guy,” Shanahan told reporters. “He was that way everywhere he went. And we saw that personally here. But I always liked Sam before he got here. Just his talent level in college and what you saw in the NFL and it was exactly as good as advertised.
“He’s a really good athlete, really tough, can make any shot. And I really enjoyed working with him. I think he got better throughout the year. He was always willing to get more opportunities in games if something bad happened. Luckily for Brock (Purdy), we didn’t have to do that until last week. But it was really good to have him here as a No. 2.”
Darnold’s only start with the 49ers came in a Week 18 matchup against the The Los Angeles Ramsas San Francisco rested several of its starters after securing the top seed in the NFC playoffs.
While Darnold hasn’t gotten much on-field work throughout the 2023 season, Shanahan has still noticed plenty of growth during the quarterback’s time in the Bay Area.
“Yeah, I did,” Shanahan told reporters when asked if he’s seen Darnold progress behind the scenes. “I think Sam’s played in a lot of different offenses and a few different teams. I think he’s always been able to make plays and all that, but the more he’s gotten used to what’s being asked of him, and it’s tough when you’re asking people to do things they’ve never done before, because sometimes you have to get worse before you get better.”
“But Sam came in with a really good mindset. He was very meticulous in what he did, he never really hesitated and really tried to improve. I think he came in really well and he improved throughout the year.”
Shanahan joked that he had hoped Darnold wouldn’t find a suitable landing spot for him to return to San Francisco, but conceded he was glad Darnold landed in one. good situation in Minnesota.
“Yeah, I thought it was a really good place for him,” Shanahan said. “And I was happy for him. I was hoping he wouldn’t find a good place and he’d come back here. But I was happy for him. He got that opportunity because Sam deserves it. Sam’s a starting quarterback in this league and he should take advantage of it.”
Darnold was solid in his Vikings debut, throwing for 208 yards and a pair of touchdowns on a 79 percent completion percentage in Minnesota’s blowout win over the New York Giants.
However, he faces a much tougher task against his former team, after the 49ers’ defense limited the four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers 167 passing yards San Francisco wins week one during the New York Jets.
