When longtime 49ers reporter Grant Cohn recently ranked Sam Darnold as the fifth-best quarterback in the NFC, it immediately sparked debate. Not because Darnold was included — but because many believe he should be ranked much higher.
Cohn, who covers the San Francisco 49ers, placing Darnold in the top five at all is notable. For a reporter closely tied to a division rival to acknowledge Darnold’s value speaks volumes. But fifth? That feels far too low considering what Darnold has accomplished — and what he continues to show.
Let’s start with the bigger picture.
Darnold, now leading the Seattle Seahawks, has quietly built a résumé that demands serious attention. As a former high draft pick, he entered the league with elite physical tools — arm strength, mobility, and the ability to make throws that few quarterbacks can attempt. While his early career had its share of turbulence, his growth over the past few seasons has been undeniable.
Most striking is this: Darnold has led two different franchises to 14-win seasons. That’s not a small achievement. Even more compelling, those same teams managed only nine and ten wins respectively in seasons without him. That kind of swing isn’t coincidence — it’s impact. It suggests leadership, poise, and the ability to elevate a roster beyond its baseline.
Quarterback rankings often focus on flashy stats or media narratives, but wins matter. And sustained winning across multiple organizations is even rarer.
There has also been debate about where young quarterbacks such as Caleb Williams should land in NFC rankings. Williams, an incredibly talented prospect, undoubtedly has upside. However, projecting potential is different from evaluating proven performance. Critics argue that Williams still struggles with consistency and accuracy over long stretches of games. Talent alone does not guarantee steady execution, especially in high-pressure NFL environments.
Darnold, on the other hand, has already faced — and survived — the league’s steepest learning curves.
Then there’s the playoff argument.
Unlike Dak Prescott, whose postseason record has often been scrutinized, Darnold has shown he can elevate his play when it matters most. Playoff football is different. Defenses tighten. Windows shrink. Mistakes are magnified. In those moments, quarterbacks either rise or unravel.
Darnold has risen.
His two high-scoring postseason battles against Matthew Stafford stand as clear examples. Stafford, a Super Bowl-winning veteran, is no easy benchmark. Yet Darnold matched him throw for throw in shootouts that demanded composure and clutch decision-making. Those games weren’t just statistical showcases — they were tests of resilience and leadership.
Another layer to this debate involves Brock Purdy. Purdy has enjoyed significant success within San Francisco’s structured offensive system, benefiting from elite skill-position talent and strong defensive support. While Purdy deserves credit for executing efficiently, some argue that Darnold’s ability to carry heavier burdens — particularly on less balanced rosters — demonstrates a broader skill set.
That is why it’s noteworthy that even a reporter deeply embedded in 49ers coverage ranked Darnold above Purdy. It reflects a growing recognition that Darnold’s value extends beyond box scores.
Ranking quarterbacks is never purely objective. Personal bias, team allegiance, and stylistic preference all shape opinions. Even acknowledging that bias exists, the argument for Darnold as the second-best quarterback in the NFC is compelling.
Consider the full list of NFC signal-callers. Elite quarterbacks are defined by a blend of physical tools, mental processing, leadership, postseason performance, and the ability to raise a team’s ceiling. Darnold checks more of those boxes than he’s often credited for.
His arm strength allows him to stretch defenses vertically. His improved decision-making has reduced turnover issues that once plagued his early career. His mobility gives him second-chance opportunities outside the pocket. Most importantly, teammates consistently speak about his command in the locker room — a quality that rarely shows up in rankings but often defines sustained success.
Critics will point to inconsistency in his early years. That’s fair. Development is rarely linear, especially for quarterbacks entering challenging organizational situations. But growth matters. And Darnold’s trajectory suggests maturation, not stagnation.
It’s also worth noting the competitive landscape of the NFC. With shifting rosters, coaching changes, and emerging young talent, quarterback hierarchy is fluid. Rankings today may not reflect reality by season’s end. Still, based on tangible accomplishments — multi-team success, playoff poise, and physical capability — placing Darnold fifth feels conservative.
The second spot? That’s where the argument becomes bold — but defensible.
Football debates thrive on disagreement. Some will continue to prioritize youth and projection. Others will lean on system-based efficiency. But for those who value proven leadership across different franchises and clutch postseason performances, Darnold’s résumé speaks loudly.
Perhaps what stands out most is that recognition is finally beginning to cross rival lines. When someone covering the 49ers acknowledges Darnold’s superiority over Purdy, it signals that this isn’t just fan-driven hype — it’s an evaluation gaining traction.
In the end, quarterback rankings will always fuel passionate arguments. But one thing is becoming harder to ignore: Sam Darnold isn’t just a comeback story. He’s a proven winner with playoff credibility and the tools to dominate the NFC.
Fifth-best? That may already be outdated.
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