NFL Rumors: 49ers FA Sam Darnold, Vikings Agree to Contract After Kirk Cousins Exit

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After spending the 2023 season as a backup for the San Francisco 49ers, Sam Darnold has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Minnesota Vikings.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Darnold agreed to a one-year deal worth $10 million.

The news comes after Kirk Cousins agreed to a four-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Pelissero reported Cousins’ deal will be worth $180 million.

When there was uncertainty about Brock Purdy’s elbow last offseason after he had surgery to repair a torn UCL, the 49ers signed Darnold to a one-year, $4.5 million deal as an insurance policy.

The 49ers already had Trey Lance, the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL draft, on the roster at the time. It wasn’t immediately clear if Darnold’s arrival was going to signal the end of Lance’s time in the Bay Area.

Coming out of training camp and into the preseason, when it became clear Purdy would be healthy to start the regular season, Darnold beat out Lance to be the No. 2 quarterback.

Lance was subsequently traded to the Dallas Cowboys, ensuring Darnold would be the backup all season. The 26-year-old saw action in 10 games this season, primarily in garbage time or a couple of instances when Purdy left due to an injury.

After the 49ers clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs in Week 17, Darnold was given the start in the regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Rams. He went 16-of-26 for 189 yards and one touchdown in a 21-20 loss.

Being able to work in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s system may have provided a spark that Darnold can carry with him in the future. He showed some positive signs during the 2022 season.

In six starts for the Carolina Panthers, Darnold threw for 1,143 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. The team went 4-2 in those six games, while going 3-8 in 11 games with Baker Mayfield and PJ Walker.

Darnold will join a Vikings squad that went 7-10 last season, as Cousins was limited to just eight games because of an Achilles injury.