"For Sam Darnold, though, it's a reality come full circle. San Francisco, after all, was the city that gave him a chance after he crashed and burned in New York and washed out in Carolina, long after most around the NFL had consigned him to history's pile of first-round draft busts. As part of the 49ers two years ago, Darnold watched from the sideline as the team's starter, Brock Purdy, fell short of leading San Francisco past Kansas City."
"New York Jets fans, too, dared to dream about returning to the Super Bowl in the lead-up to the 2018 NFL draft. Darnold's gunslinging style and knack for making plays in chaotic situations at USC drew comparisons to Brett Favre, yet he slid to third overall because of the Browns' recency bias for Heisman winner Baker Mayfield and the Giants' long-term commitment to Eli Manning."
Sam Darnold endured a turbulent NFL journey from early promise to public disappointment and eventual resurgence. He struggled in New York and Carolina before San Francisco offered him a second chance. He observed Brock Purdy's playoff shortfall while on the 49ers and later earned a spot with Minnesota after relief appearances, producing an unlikely bounce-back season before joining the Seattle Seahawks. The Orange County native now approaches the Super Bowl, completing a long redemption arc. His draft fall was influenced by comparisons to Brett Favre, Browns' preference for Baker Mayfield, and the Giants' commitment to Eli Manning. Rigid schemes under Adam Gase worsened his mechanics following a respectable rookie year.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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