Gold Standard Podcast: The case against Sam Darnold

Anyone that’s ever shopped for something knows the feeling of needing to decide with a deadline looming over your head. You can’t quite find what you’re looking for, but you know the clock is ticking, and you’re going to have to make a call pretty soon. As the deadline gets closer and closer, you start to consider things you know you don’t really want. Time is running out, and you don’t want to walk away empty-handed, so you end up getting something you’ll ultimately regret because it doesn’t fulfill your needs. The same thing applies to Sam Darnold as the 2021 quarterback for the 49ers. In any other circumstance, we’d never even consider it.

Sam Darnold suffers from the same issues as Jimmy Garoppolo: turnovers and injuries. Darnold has never played in more than 13 games in three years as a starter in a season. For all the consternation about Jimmy’s health, he at least has one full year under his belt. As far as turnovers go, Darnold has given the other team the football 46 times in 38 career games. Garoppolo has turned it over 32 times in 48 career games. Those are the facts, and they are not in dispute.

What on earth would possess the 49ers to give up draft picks to acquire a more injury-prone, more turnover-prone quarterback? A lower salary? Why not just draft a rookie in that case? He would be cheaper and cost the same draft pick you’d trade for Darnold. And who knows, that rookie could very easily turn out better than the guy you were going to acquire anyway.

I go into more detail on why Sam doesn’t fit in San Francisco, but you’ll have to listen to the full episode to get the entire rant. Fortunately, it’s here for you below and on all major podcast platforms.

Other topics in the episode

• Trent Williams appears likely to return - what about Mike McGlinchey?
• Would an Emmanuel Sanders return be good for the team?
• Now that the comp picks are out do the 49ers have enough to make a move?