It isn’t often that anyone associated with the 49ers would actively root for anyone associated with the Seattle Seahawks.
The two teams have a storied rivalry that only intensified this season, as Seattle knocked San Francisco out of the playoffs in the divisional round.
Despite all that, 49ers legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana explained why he’s rooting for Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold.
“Heck yeah. I’m all for Sam Darnold,” Montana said Tuesday on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.” “The things that he’s been through, the places that he’s played, the games that he’s won, even here in San Francisco before he got to Minnesota, like c’mon. I saw a stat that he’s won 28 games in the last two teams he was with. And he’s now getting another chance here and he’s doing the same thing. I’m pulling for him.
“I’m an NFC guy most of the time anyway, but I’m all about Sam. He’s a good guy, a good player. I’m happy for him.”
Darnold spent the 2023 season with the 49ers as Brock Purdy’s backup.
His short tenure in San Francisco opened up a new opportunity for Darnold in Minnesota, serving as the Vikings starting quarterback in 2024 and leading the team to a 14-3 record.
He now has earned a similar shot with Seattle, as he has led the Seahawks to Super Bowl LX where they will face the New England Patriots.
Darnold’s career arc — above a budding rivalry — means more to Montana as he will root for Darnold and the Seahawks in two weeks.
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