Sam Darnold shows love to his former team following his first Super Bowl win.
Sam Darnold stood on the Levi’s Stadium turf Sunday night holding the Lombardi Trophy, a moment few predicted earlier in his career.
After leading the Seattle Seahawks to a convincing 29-13 Super Bowl LX victory over the New England Patriots, the veteran quarterback made sure to acknowledge an unlikely contributor to his resurgence, the San Francisco 49ers.
While the 49ers weren’t participants in the championship game, Darnold said his lone season in San Francisco played a pivotal role in reshaping both his confidence and approach to the game.
Following several difficult years with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, Darnold arrived in the Bay Area seeking stability, mentorship, and a chance to rebuild.
In the Super Bowl, Darnold delivered a composed if unspectacular performance, completing 19 of 38 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown.
Following the championship victory, he credited head coach Kyle Shanahan and quarterback Brock Purdy for helping him refine his approach to the game.
“It’s funny how it works,” Darnold said after the win. “I didn’t play great football early in my career. Then I came to San Francisco and learned a ton — from Brock [Purdy], from coach [Kyle] Shanahan, from the whole environment. That year really helped me reset.”
“That year really helped me grow,” Darnold said in his postgame press conference. “I learned a lot about preparation, about how to see the field, and just about being consistent every day. Watching Brock operate in that offense and learning from coach Shanahan made a big difference for me.”
Darnold’s on-field opportunities with the 49ers were limited; he threw only 46 passes across 10 appearances and made just one start.
Still, he has consistently emphasized that the value of that season came in development rather than playing time.
The experience helped him rebuild confidence while sharpening his football IQ.
Coaches and teammates have repeatedly highlighted Darnold’s maturity this season.
Many believe the adversity he faced earlier in his career, combined with the learning period in San Francisco, helped shape the poised quarterback seen throughout Seattle’s title run.
For the 49ers, Darnold’s public appreciation reinforces the reputation Shanahan’s program has built as a quarterback-friendly environment capable of nurturing growth, even for players who aren’t immediate starters.
As Darnold celebrated Sunday night with the Lombardi Trophy in hand, the moment symbolized more than a single victory.
It marked the culmination of a career revival one he believes truly began during that quiet but formative year in San Francisco.