Sam Darnold’s name was all over the headlines this week after being named NFC Offensive Player of the Week following an unexpected five-touchdown performance. For a player whose career has been marred by inconsistency and underachievement, this sudden outburst has left many fans and analysts scratching their heads. Is this truly a sign of a potential turnaround for the former third overall pick, or was it just a fluke performance against an overmatched defense?
Darnold’s rise to the top of the NFC player rankings has sparked heated debates about whether the former USC standout is finally living up to his lofty expectations—or if this performance is simply a flash in the pan that will soon fade into irrelevance.
A Career Defined by Inconsistency
When Darnold entered the NFL in 2018 as the third overall pick, many expected him to be a franchise quarterback. His impressive college career at USC had NFL scouts buzzing, and the New York Jets, desperate for a long-term solution at quarterback, were thrilled to have him fall into their lap. Fast forward to 2024, and Darnold’s career has been anything but a fairytale.
After struggling through multiple seasons with the Jets, Darnold’s move to the Carolina Panthers in 2021 was seen as a last-ditch effort to revive his career. However, his time in Carolina was more of the same: flashes of potential mixed with long stretches of poor decision-making, bad mechanics, and interceptions. The Panthers ultimately moved on from him, and Darnold found himself relegated to a backup role with the San Francisco 49ers, playing behind the more stable and proven Brock Purdy.
But now, after a five-touchdown performance that came out of nowhere, Darnold is being lauded as the NFC Offensive Player of the Week. While it’s certainly a feel-good story for a player who’s had his fair share of critics, we must ask: Can we really consider this a breakthrough, or is it just a product of a single game against a weak opponent?
The Opponent: Does Context Matter?
To understand whether Darnold’s performance is sustainable, it’s important to consider the context of his five-touchdown game. While it’s true that the quarterback was exceptional in that contest, one cannot ignore the fact that the opposing defense was abysmal. The team Darnold torched for 5 TDs had been allowing an alarming number of points and was struggling to stop even the most basic offensive schemes. The defensive breakdowns were glaring, and many of Darnold’s touchdowns came against soft coverage or wide-open receivers.
Does that diminish the performance? Not entirely. Darnold still made the throws and showed impressive accuracy in key moments, which is no small feat. But context matters. This wasn’t a playoff contender with a top-tier defense; this was a team that had been giving up huge numbers all season long. If anything, the real test will come when Darnold faces a more well-coached, playoff-caliber defense that knows how to exploit his weaknesses.
Is This a Sign of Growth or Just a One-Off?
For those hoping Darnold’s five-touchdown performance signals a true breakthrough, the skepticism is justified. Over the course of his career, we’ve seen flashes of brilliance from Darnold—brilliant throws, moments where he looks poised and capable of leading a high-powered offense. But these moments have been followed by long stretches of inconsistency, poor decision-making, and, at times, total dysfunction.
His time with the Jets and Panthers was marked by erratic play and an inability to string together multiple strong performances. There were games where he looked like a quarterback who was still learning the ropes, even in his third or fourth season. The reality is that a single standout game doesn’t undo years of underperformance. The NFL is a league of consistency, and until Darnold proves that he can replicate performances like this over an extended period, his status as a legitimate starter is still very much in doubt.
Furthermore, Darnold’s success in San Francisco is intrinsically tied to the system around him. Kyle Shanahan’s offense is one of the best in the league at making life easier for quarterbacks, with quick passing schemes, an elite offensive line, and playmakers at every position. In a way, Darnold is benefiting from the system in a way he never did with the Jets or Panthers. Is he truly the one driving the success, or is he simply a beneficiary of a well-oiled machine? The answer could determine whether Darnold’s performance is sustainable or not.
The Shanahan Factor: Can He Unlock Darnold’s Potential?
There’s no question that Kyle Shanahan’s system has turned mediocre quarterbacks into stars, and Darnold is no exception. Look at the way Shanahan was able to elevate the play of quarterbacks like Jimmy Garoppolo and, to some extent, Brock Purdy. If Darnold can continue to thrive in Shanahan’s offense, there’s a chance that this performance is more than just a fluke. But even then, it begs the question: How much credit does Darnold deserve?
Shanahan’s offense is designed to minimize mistakes, with quick throws, play-action, and heavy reliance on yards-after-catch from skill position players. It’s a system that allows quarterbacks to succeed without necessarily having elite physical traits or a high level of experience. In other words, if Darnold continues to thrive, it might be more a reflection of the coaching and supporting cast around him than any breakthrough in his own development.
It’s worth noting that Darnold has never had the benefit of a system like this before. While he’s shown flashes of talent, he’s never been in a situation where everything around him is set up for success. Could this be the environment where Darnold finally becomes the quarterback everyone thought he could be? It’s a possibility—but it’s still far from a guarantee.
The Bigger Picture: Is It Too Late for Darnold?
While Darnold’s NFC Player of the Week honors may seem like a big moment, it’s important to keep the bigger picture in mind. His career is already at a crossroads. At 26 years old, he’s approaching a critical point where he’ll either establish himself as a legitimate starting quarterback or become a career backup. The 49ers’ roster is one of the best in the league, and Darnold has an incredible opportunity to prove that he’s capable of leading a team. But is a five-touchdown game enough to change the course of his career?
The truth is, Darnold has had many chances to prove himself. His time in New York and Carolina should have been his proving grounds, and the fact that he’s still in a backup role is a testament to his inability to live up to expectations. If this performance is just another flash in the pan, it could be his last chance to secure a starting role in the NFL.
Conclusion: A Flash of Hope or a False Dawn?
Sam Darnold’s five-touchdown game has been the talk of the NFL, but the larger question remains: Is this the start of something meaningful, or is it just a brief blip on the radar of a career that’s been defined by inconsistency? Until Darnold proves that he can consistently perform at a high level, especially in more challenging matchups, this performance will be viewed as little more than a well-timed anomaly.
For Darnold, the real test lies ahead. One great game doesn’t make a career, and the pressure will be on him to prove that he can finally become the player he was once expected to be. Until then, the skepticism surrounding his true potential will remain.
