Sam Darnold’s resurgence as an elite NFL quarterback in 2024 was one of the league’s biggest surprises, but the secret behind his success may be even more unexpected—a 6’1″ quarterback who was once the final pick of the NFL Draft.
After years of struggling to live up to expectations, Darnold finally shed the “bust” label last season when he led the Minnesota Vikings to a remarkable 14-3 record.
The 27-year-old posted career-best numbers, throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns—both ranking in the NFL’s top five. His outstanding performance earned him his first Pro Bowl nod, a third-place finish in the Comeback Player of the Year voting, and even a few MVP votes.
Darnold’s breakout season helped him secure a lucrative contract to become the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, marking a fresh chapter in his career. But when asked during his introductory press conference what fueled his dramatic improvement, Darnold pointed to an unexpected source of inspiration—San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
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Learning from “Mr. Irrelevant”
“I really thank Brock a ton. Brock Purdy,” Darnold told reporters. “Just his style of play and how he kind of described his role as a quarterback. He always talked about how we’ve got a ton of great playmakers on offense, and his job is just to play point guard—get the ball in their hands and let them go do great things with the rock.”
Darnold went on to explain that this mindset shift completely changed his approach to playing quarterback.
“When I started to change my thought process as a quarterback to just getting the ball in my guys’ hands, that’s when things really unlocked for me.”
Darnold spent the 2023 season as the backup in San Francisco behind Purdy, who was in just his second NFL season at the time. Purdy, despite his underdog status as the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, put together a stellar campaign, leading the 49ers deep into the playoffs and finishing fourth in MVP voting.
A Humbling Perspective Shift
What makes Darnold’s admission so fascinating is that, as a former third-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, he had far more experience and pedigree than Purdy. Yet, rather than letting pride get in the way, Darnold embraced the lessons he learned from his younger teammate.
It’s a testament to Darnold’s willingness to adapt, grow, and evolve as a player. For years, he had all the physical tools—arm strength, mobility, and playmaking ability—but struggled with decision-making and consistency. The shift in mindset that he picked up from Purdy, a quarterback known for his efficiency and composure, appears to have been the missing piece that unlocked Darnold’s potential.
Now, as he takes on the challenge of leading the Seahawks, Darnold will look to build on his breakthrough season. If he continues to embrace the lessons that helped him succeed, Seattle may have just found its franchise quarterback—and he has Brock Purdy, at least in part, to thank for it.