NFL Insider: 49ers Won't Pursue Sam Darnold Trade

The San Francisco 49ers reportedly will not pursue a trade for New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold and will likely stick with QB Jimmy Garoppolo instead

Max Goodman | Mar 14, 2021

Sounds like we can take another team out of the Sam Darnold sweepstakes.

The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport does not expect the San Francisco 49ers to make a push for trading for the Jets quarterback.

"The response I've received on the Sam Darnold situation is do not expect the 49ers to be in it," Rapoport said on the Murph and Mac Podcast. "Maybe it could change. I guess, theoretically anything is possible. I never rule anything out in this ridiculous, stupid world. I do not expect the 49ers, as of my knowledge right now, to be in it."

Rapoport went on to ask two valid questions. First, is Darnold better than 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo? And secondly, would San Francisco want to make a trade for basically the same quarterback?

What he means is, both of these two signal callers have shown flashes, but aren't proven as franchise quarterbacks at this level. Garoppolo is older and costs more money, so that would be a reason to snag Darnold instead, but from what the insider is hearing, San Francisco isn't interested in moving on from Garoppolo in order to move forward with Darnold.

As free agency looms, we know that nearly one third of the NFL's 32 teams have reached out to the Jets, inquiring about the availability of Darnold.

It's very possible the 49ers are one of those teams. In fact, it would make sense for them to check in with New York, at the very least. That said, and while things could change, it seems like Kyle Shanahan's squad will look in another direction.

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Published Mar 14, 2021

MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.