Darnold’s patience pays off with start

After Sam Darnold signed with the San Francisco 49ers in March, the embattled quarterback known for harried, headscratching interceptions discussed the value of patience.

Darnold, 26, pointed to the encouraging end to his 2022 season with the Panthers, when he accomplished more by consciously doing less. Darnold, the big-armed No. 3 pick in 2018, threw just three interceptions in 140 attempts in six season-finishing starts because he dialed back his trademark aggression.

“It was just playing patient,” said Darnold, who has thrown 55 interceptions in 55 career starts. “I think that was the biggest difference for me was not forcing things when they weren’t there.”

Ten months later, Darnold’s patience has likely been tested during his first season with the 49ers. But his forbearance during a year in which he has made zero starts and thrown 20 passes in the first 16 games will be rewarded in Sunday’s no-stakes regular-season finale against the Rams.

With Brock Purdy sitting out because the 49ers have clinched the NFC’s No. 1 seed, Darnold will start and get his first chance at the extensive playing time that seemed possible when he signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal in March.

Darnold joined the 49ers when Purdy was six days removed from elbow surgery that had his season-opening status in doubt and not-yet-traded QB Trey Lance was clearly on shaky ground. Of course, Purdy was medically cleared before training camp and made the season’s first 16 starts, meaning Darnold has spent most of the past 17 weeks sporting a baseball cap instead of a helmet.

Any second-guessing his decision to take less money in free agency to sign with the 49ers?

“Zero regrets,” Darnold said.

Darnold’s answer might have been authentic. And that’s because part of the 49ers’ allure had nothing to do with playing time after his first five seasons were stuffed with losing and dysfunction.

Darnold’s teams, the Jets (2018-20) and Panthers (2021-22), had a combined 25-57 record, and he played for three position coaches, four head coaches and five offensive coordinators. Darnold has discussed being able to “grow as a player” in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s widely imitated offense and noted how his pre-signing meeting with quarterbacks coach Brian Griese, who had an 11-year NFL career, influenced his decision to join the 49ers.

None of Darnold’s previous position coaches played in the NFL. In fact, Sean Ryan, his coach in his two seasons with the Panthers, was a safety and linebacker at Division III Hamilton College.

That is, Darnold thought, if nothing else, a one-year reset in a cuttingedge offense overseen by accomplished coaches who could help him realize his potential.

“It’s a really good system,” Darnold said Thursday. “I mean, there’s just answers for everything. I’m not going to sit here and compare it to any other system that I’ve been in. But there’s just answers for everything that the defense does and that allows the quarterback to go out there and play fast.”

Darnold didn’t play with an offensive teammate who was named a first- or second-team AllPro with the Jets or Panthers. On Sunday, however, he’ll play with four offensive teammates who have earned All-Pro honors since 2019. At least for a moment.

Shanahan said Friday that left tackle Trent Williams and other frontliners will start, although they won’t play four quarters.

After limiting his mistakes last year in Carolina, Darnold will have a chance Sunday to continue his largely clean play with the 49ers. He threw just two interceptions in 19 training-camp practices, and the lone pick in his 33 preseason attempts caromed off a wide receiver’s facemask. His only regular-season interception was a desperation 4thand-goal pass from the 17yard line in the final minute of a 33-19 loss to the Ravens on Christmas.

Yes, Darnold was already aware of the value of patience for a QB before he arrived in Santa Clara. But spending 16 games watching Purdy from the sideline has only reinforced its value.

“He stays within himself better than any quarterback I’ve been around in terms of just taking what the defense gives him,” Darnold said. “Obviously, there’s a time and place to be aggressive and try to make throws. But I think he’s very poised in certain situations to be able to just check the ball down and live to fight another day.”

Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle Sam Darnold, left, has thrown just 20 passes in the regular season but still views his decision to sign with the 49ers as a positive, saying learning under Kyle Shanahan has helped him “grow as a player.”

Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Sam Darnold will get a chance to prove how much he’s learned and grown with the 49ers, perhaps to future free-agent destinations, in the regular-season finale.