The San Francisco 49ers have suffered three straight losses, but they could benefit from the recent misfortune of the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings suffered their second loss in their recent streak, but the NFC North team is now without starting quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Cousins ​​tore his Achilles tendon in the second quarter of Minnesota’s 24-10 win over the Green Bay Packers, bringing an unfortunate end to the 2023 season.
The Vikings now have a 4- 4 after winning 4 of the last 5 games, but without a starting QB.
Minnesota will likely be looking for a new pass rusher to try to salvage its season and 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold should be considered.
Darnold wasn’t able to be the former No.
3 overall pick, but showed good play and played well for San Francisco in the preseason.
The Vikings currently have only healthy QB Jaren Hall on the roster.
Darnold is by no means an upgrade over Kirk Cousins ​​​, but he has more experience than Hall and could put the Vikings on a potential playoff run.
For the 49ers, this would be an opportunity to acquire a significant high profile or talented player as they look to end their current losing streak while maintaining their team building plan your long-term career.
Darnold gets preseason opportunity with 49ers Throughout the season, the way 49ers coaches talked about Sam Darnold made it seem like he was actually in the running for the starting job.
It always seemed like Brock Purdy was the favorite, but Darnold was touted as many options as Trey Lance before the latter was traded to the Dallas Cowboys.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan gave Darnold a chance during the preseason, and it’s fair to say Darnold did well.
According to preseason statistics from FOX Sports, Darnold completed 22 of 33 pass attempts for 282 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Obviously, pre-season play is a major step up from regular season play.
But Darnold is no spring chicken.
He qualified during his time with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.
And it turns out, Minnesota can’t be picky about replacing Kirk Cousins.
Darnold has 60 career starts, 61 touchdowns and interceptions, and is averaging nearly 200 yards per game against poor teams.
With an offensive talent like the Vikings, he can get the job done every week.
Darnold replacing Kirk Cousins ​​​could help the 49ers It’s not something any San Francisco fan wants to think about, but the 49ers appear to be headed for some significant changes in the next few years.
The Niners have gone through generations under Shanahan, and that will continue.
On the current depth chart, names like Deebo Samuel, Trent Williams and Tashaun Gipson come to mind.
For Samuel, injury concerns and reduced production are a warning sign.
Gipson and Williams continue to age and Williams also has injury problems.
The 49ers may have to spend money on WR Brandon Aiyuk and QB Brock Purdy.
With the financial commitments already in place, they will need players on rookie contracts to balance that out.
Trading Darnold for another mid-round pick is another step toward a smooth roster rotation.
San Francisco’s next phase will depend on recruiting young talent.
NFL teams never have enough picks to achieve this goal.
Evan Reier is a sports reporter covering the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers for Heavy.com.
He previously covered sports for the Montana Standard and was an editor for Outsider.
