Sam Darnold contract details: How much money does the 49ers 2nd QB make?

Just over a year ago, Sam Darnold was in free agency after discreet stints with both the New York Jets and the Carolina Panthers. On 16 March 2023, he signed a one-year contract with the 49ers, who brought him as a placement for Jimmy Garoppolo initially as a No. 3 option on the depth chart.

Things have started to look up for the 26-year-old since his return to the west coast. He was handed his first start as the Niners wrapped up the regular season at Levi’s stadium against the Rams in December, deputizing for Brock Purdy who was rested with a shoulder issue. Up until then, Darnold had made nine appearances, completing 12-of-20 throws for 108 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception. In little over a week’s time, he will be stepping out into Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to play in the Super Bowl - becoming the only first round QB from the class of 2018 to star in the event. Before this year, he’d never even made it to the playoffs.

Who is Sam Darnold?

Darnold, who was born in Dana Point California, excelled both during his high school days at San Clemente and later as a redshirt sophomore at the University of Southern California (USC) where he spent three years (2015-17). At USC, he made 27 appearances - 24 of them, as the starting QB and completed 549 of 846 passing attempts (64.9%) for 7,229 yards and 57 touchdowns. He became the youngest quarterback to post a passer rating higher than 110 – 116.8 rating at 21 years, 97 days old and led USC to a 52-49 victory over Penn State in the Rose Bowl in his first season.

He was drafted by the New York Jets as the third overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft and in April 2021, was traded to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round pick and second- and fourth-round picks in 2022.. During the five years he spent with the Jets and the Carolina Panthers (2021-22), he has appeared in 56 games (55 starts) and completed 1,054 of 1,765 passing attempts (59.7%) for 11,767 yards, 61 touchdowns and a passer rating of 78.2 to go along with 188 carries for 745 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

In 2022 with the Panthers, Darnold started six games and completed 82 of 140 passing attempts (58.6%) for 1,143 yards, seven touchdowns and a passer rating of 92.6 to go along with 26 rushes for 106 yards and two touchdowns. His career win-loss record is 30-40 including both the regular-season and playoffs.

Sam Darnold’s contract with the 49ers

Darnold signed a one-year contract with the 49ers in March 2023 for $4.5 million - including a $1.5 million signing bonus and $3.5 million guaranteed. He receives a $300,000 incentive bonus for every game in which he plays at least 25 percent of the offensive snaps and the 49ers win.

According to Spotrac, Darnold has earned a total of $53,865,708 during the six years he has spent in the NFL - most of that figure is from the $30,247,715 contract he signed with the New York Jets in July 2018, which included a $20,078,338 signing bonus, $30,247,715 guaranteed, and a base salary of $7,561,929. Darnold is slated to be an unrestricted free agent when the season concludes this month.