The one face that many are looking to see when the San Francisco 49ers battle the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2 is a very familiar one of former 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold. Now with the Vikings, it was a strong Week 1 from Darnold, and one that’s certainly not gone unnoticed. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has been very open about his praise for Darnold, revealing just how vital the quarterback was and how he can have success in Minnesota.
Darnold’s Turbulent Beginning in the NFL
Sam Darnold was an extremely hyped prospect when he was selected in the third overall pick back in 2018. In no time, his career had already gotten some ups and downs that labeled him as a backup quarterback in the league. Despite this, Darnold did show stuff that any coach who has worked with him would say is an excellent talent and still a potent young man.
The San Francisco 49ers had Darnold as a backup quarterback last season. During his tenure, he showed that he could be a very valuable commodity, even though he was not always in the starting lineup. This professionalism and being ready when called upon was an important trait that Shanahan and the 49ers loved about Darnold and his skill set and work ethic.
Shanahan Praises Darnold’s Skills and Character
Kyle Shanahan recently had some comments about Darnold, where he let the world know how much he likes the quarterback. I loved having Sam here; he was an awesome guy, Shanahan said. He even went as far as calling him athletic and tough, who can make any throw. Shanahan is speaking from a place of professional respect, but also personal affection for Darnold.
In the last game of the prior season, with Brock Purdy unavailable, Darnold started against the Los Angeles Rams. He had a pretty decent outing, where he threw passes for 189 yards and a touchdown. He rushed in for another. That game gave fans a glimpse into how talented he was and further won Shanahan over.
Shanahan’s Expectations from Darnold
Despite Darnold’s departure from the team, Shanahan wished that he hoped to have him back in San Francisco. I was hoping he’d find no good spots and come back here, said Shanahan. This message points out that through this, the tight bond was heard between the coach and his player and how much Shanahan believed in Darnold’s potential.
The next game the 49ers play against the Vikings means more with Darnold at the helm. San Francisco has not beaten Minnesota since 1992, adding a historic layer to their challenge. Those factors, combined with the praise from Shanahan and the personal stakes of the game, make for a fun matchup.
Conclusion
Kyle Shanahan’s glowing praise for Sam Darnold ahead of the Week 2 matchup showcases major respect and a deep appreciation for his former player. So when Darnold goes on the field with the Vikings, it will not be about fighting over skills but about an ode to his journey and conquests. This game, at many levels—personally and in terms of skill—goes down into memory for a long time.
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