Sam Darnold, a former No. 3 pick, was added to the San Francisco 49ers roster by general manager John Lynch this season as a depth addition, but this offseason, Darnold might play for Lynch’s previous team.
Given the team’s needs at quarterback in 2024, Spotrac projects that to be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Although Baker Mayfield has the option to walk in free agency, the Buccaneers do not have any seasoned veterans to replace him.
The Buccaneers want to sign Darnold for “a one year, $2 million contract to solidify the [quarterback] room” in the upcoming season, according to Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac. Behind Mayfield, the Buccaneers only have third-string quarterback John Wolford and former second-round selection Kyle Trask.
While the 49ers could easily afford Darnold, Ginnitti predicts that the Niners will swing for New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones. Because of Jones’ struggles and benching this year, the former No. 15 pick could be acquired for trading spots in the seventh round of the draft, Ginnitti writes.
It’s still unclear if Jones would be a better option than Darnold. Given the injury history and sporadic poor play of starting quarterback Brock Purdy in less than two seasons, it is critical that the 49ers provide a proper response to that question.
Furthermore, a number of NFL clubs have experienced the loss of starting quarterbacks this season; the 49ers are well aware that injuries can happen at any time. One could argue that it cost the 49ers a Super Bowl trip the previous year.
San Francisco really could choose between two formerly highly-touted AFC East quarterbacks in Darnold and Jones who didn’t pan out with their original teams.
Darnold entered the league with the New York Jets in 2018, and he never produced a winning season in four years as a starter. He also never threw for more than 19 touchdowns or fewer than 11 interceptions in any season where he played more than 11 games.
