Darnold agreed to terms on a one-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darnold spent the 2023 campaign as Brock Purdy's backup in San Francisco, but he will now join his former teammate, and current Vikings quarterback coach, Josh McCown in Minnesota. With Kirk Cousins en route to Atlanta, the 26-year-old becomes the de facto No. 1 option under center. He completed 16-of-26 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown, while adding another 19 yards and trip to the end zone on seven carries in his only start for the 49ers last season. It remains to be seen if Minnesota will draft or bring in competition for Darnold, as the journeyman signal caller could be viewed either as a bridge to a younger quarterback or potential option for the future.

Darnold completed 61 percent of his pass attempts for 297 yards, two touchdowns and one interception across 10 games (one start) with San Francisco in 2023.

EDGE Analysis

Darnold spent the majority of the campaign backing up MVP candidate Brock Purdy, with the veteran's lone start coming in the last game of the regular season with many starters resting for the playoffs. The third overall pick from the 2018 Draft appeared to be more comfortable under center while playing in head coach Kyle Shanahan's system. Darnold's high draft pedigree and improved polish should produce several suitors for the unrestricted free agent this upcoming offseason.

Darnold completed 16 of 26 pass attempts for 189 yards and a touchdown while rushing seven times for 19 yards and another score in Sunday's 21-20 loss to the Rams. He also lost a fumble.

EDGE Analysis

The 49ers decided to rest starting quarterback Brock Purdy along with a handful of other key players Sunday, affording Darnold the opportunity to make his first start as a member of the team. The third overall pick from the 2018 Draft looked more polished and decisive in the pocket, even showing off his arm strength on a couple of deep completions in the face of pressure. That brief showcase will help Darnold's efforts to seek a new contract this offseason as an unrestricted free agent. Until then, the 26-year-old will continue backing up Purdy for San Francisco's upcoming playoff run.

Darnold will start Sunday's game against the Rams, coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 49ers have clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a 12-4 record, so they will give starting quarterback Brock Purdy a breather before the playoffs. Star running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) has already been ruled out, and it's possible that Darnold won't have Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel or George Kittle at his disposal either against a Rams team that's also in rest mode prior to the postseason and will start Carson Wentz at quarterback.

Darnold completed eight of 14 pass attempts for 81 yards, a touchdown and an interception while adding nine rushing yards on one attempt in Monday's 33-19 loss to the Ravens.

EDGE Analysis

Darnold entered the contest well into the second half after Brock Purdy threw four interceptions before exiting with a neck injury. The veteran backup threw his first touchdown pass of the 2023 season -- and also as a member of the 49ers -- to rookie wideout Ronnie Bell in garbage time of Monday's loss. Initial reports out of San Francisco indicate that Purdy should be good to go against the Commanders in Week 17, which would leave Darnold in his usual role holding a touchscreen on the sidelines.

Darnold carried once for minus-one yard while playing four of the 49ers' 59 snaps on offense in Sunday's 42-19 win over the Eagles.

EDGE Analysis

Darnold looked like a candidate to get his first extended playing time of the season back in late October while Brock Purdy was in concussion protocol, but Purdy ended up being cleared ahead of the 49ers' Week 8 game against the Bengals and hasn't missed out on any starts ever since. As such, most of Darnold's opportunities are likely to come in mop-up scenarios such as this past Sunday, when he took the field for the 49ers' final possession with 2:07 remaining in the fourth quarter with the outcome already in hand. Over his six appearances off the bench this season, Darnold has completed two of three passes for seven yards.

Darnold will return to his backup role after Brock Purdy cleared concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

It was announced that Purdy entered concussion protocol Wednesday, seemingly leaving Darnold in line for the start against Cincinnati. However, Purdy officially managed to work through the league's five-step process to be cleared for action and no longer has an injury designation for Sunday's contest. As a result, Darnold will shift back down the depth chart as the team's backup under center.

Darnold is on track to start Sunday's game against the Bengals after teammate Brock Purdy entered concussion protocol earlier this week, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

While not officially ruled out, Purdy faces a challenge to clear protocol on a short week after Monday's loss at Minnesota. Darnold has taken 18 snaps and attempted one pass so far this season, strictly subbing in for Purdy in the late stages of blowout wins. The 26-year-old was last seen starting for Carolina over the final six weeks of last season -- a stretch in which he won four games and completed 58.6 percent of his passes for 8.2 yards per attempt while accounting for nine touchdowns (two rushing) and five turnovers (three INTs)

Darnold will come in after Brock Purdy during Friday's preseason finale against the Chargers, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darnold was officially named the team's No. 2 quarterback Wednesday, so his entrance behind Purdy and ahead of Trey Lance makes sense. It may be more notable that Purdy will be suiting up after he played in Saturday's game against the Broncos and looked sharp. Darnold will look to cement why he was chosen to be the top backup when he takes the field Friday.

Darnold has been named the 49ers' No. 2 quarterback behind Brock Purdy, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darnold, in his inaugural season with San Francisco, will begin the 2023 campaign as the team's top backup over 2021 first-round pick Trey Lance. A first-rounder himself from the 2018 NFL Draft, Darnold is coming off a strong training camp and seems to be a solid fit for coach Kyle Shanahan's quarterback-friendly offensive system. The announcement puts Darnold firmly on the radar as a stash in deeper fantasy leagues that start multiple QBs, and could foreshadow Lance ultimately being moved by the 49ers.