Could Sam Darnold produce a Baker Mayfield-like revival?

Sam Darnold to the Broncos? That is being talked about in Denver.

On Sunday night, the San Francisco 49ers completed an improbable comeback to top the Detroit Lions and capture this year’s George Halas Trophy as NFC champions. Congratulations are in order for former USC Trojan quarterback Sam Darnold, plus other important “Trojan 49ers” Drake Jackson and Talanoa Hufanga.

With the NFL season about to end on February 11 in Super Bowl LVIII, we have to ask: Could Sam Darnold — who was the No. 3 overall pick in 2018, two slots behind Baker Mayfield — take a similar path as Mayfield, his fellow 2018 draftee?

Denver radio and all the local podcasts will keep the Darnold topic alive for the foreseeable future, as the Broncos consider their new direction under coach Sean Payton. QB gurus such as Fox Sports‘ Joel Klatt will continue to share their insights on a Darnold-to-Denver possibility, but it all comes down to what type of quarterback Payton really wants.

“There are opportunities in this league for guys that don’t succeed at some places to go on and have success at others,” Joel Klatt said when he joined Mark Schlereth and Mike Evans on DenverSports’ 104.3 The Fan FM show this week.

Along with the Denver Broncos, several other teams — the Steelers, Raiders, Vikings and 49ers — could all be interested in Darnold’s services in the 2024 season.

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