Samuel Richard Darnold, born June 5, 1997, is an American football quarterback who plays for the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League (NFL).
He played college football at the University of Southern California and was selected third by the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL Draft.
At age 21, he was the NFL’s youngest opening-day starting quarterback since the AFL–NFL merger.
After three seasons with the Jets and two with the Carolina Panthers, Darnold joined the 49ers.
You can follow Sam Darnold’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, relationship status, and more here.
Sam Darnold’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Sam Darnold’s net worth is estimated to be $30 million. Darnold has earned $53,865,708 in Career Earnings over 6 seasons in his NFL career. The quarterback’s prime sources of earnings are his NFL salaries and endorsements.
Contract and Salary
In 2018, Darnold signed a four-year contract with the Jets worth $30.25 million, which included a $20 million signing bonus.
His one-year contract with the 49ers is worth $4.5 million. The contract came with a total guarantee of $3.5 million and a signing bonus of $1.5 million.
Career Earnings
- 2018: $20,558,338 (Salary: $480,000, Signing Bonus: $20,078,338)
- 2019: $1,854,895 (Salary: $570,000, Roster Bonus: $1,284,895)
- 2020: $3,319,790 (Salary: $750,000, Roster Bonus: $2,569,790)
- 2021: $4,774,685 (Salary: $920,000, Roster Bonus: $3,854,685)
- 2022: $18,858,000 (Salary: $18,858,000)
- 2023: $4,500,000 (Salary: $1,900,000, Signing Bonus: $1,500,000, Workout Bonus: $100,000)
This totals $53,865,708 over six seasons.
About Sam Darnold
| Full Name | Samuel Richard Darnold |
| Nickname | Sam |
| Birth Date | June 5, 1997 |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Birthplace | Dana Point, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Current Net Worth | $30 Million |
| Relationship Status | Unknown |
| Ex-Girlfriend | Claire Kirksey |
| Instagram Profile | samdarnold |
Born in Dana Point, California, Sam Darnold grew up in a family with a strong sports background.
His father, Mike, and grandfather played college football, while his mother was a physical education teacher.
His sister, Franki, played college volleyball at the University of Rhode Island.
Darnold attended San Clemente High School in San Clemente, California, where he played football and basketball.
He excelled in both sports, earning the title of South Coast League Most Valuable Player twice in basketball and breaking the school record for the most touchdown passes in a game in football.
College Career
Darnold’s college career began at the University of Southern California (USC), where he redshirted his freshman year.
In his second year, he became the starting quarterback and led the Trojans to a successful season, setting the school record for most passing touchdowns by a freshman with 26.
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He appeared in 27 games (24 starts) and completed 549 of 846 passing attempts (64.9%) for 7,229 yards and 57 touchdowns during his three years at USC.
NFL Career
Darnold was drafted third overall by the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL Draft.
He played for the Jets from 2018 to 2020, then moved to the Carolina Panthers for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
In 2023, he joined the San Francisco 49ers. Throughout his five-year NFL career, he has appeared in 56 games (55 starts) and completed 1,054 of 1,765 passing attempts (59.7%) for 11,767 yards, 61 touchdowns, and a passer rating of 78.2.
He also has 188 carries for 745 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.
Ex-Girlfriend
Darnold has had a couple of notable relationships in the past. He was previously in a long-term relationship with Claire Kirksey, whom he met at the University of Southern California in 2016.
However, after being together for six years, they ended their relationship in 2021.
NFL Career Statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Attempts | Completions | Completion % | Yards | Average | Longest | Touchdowns | Interceptions | First Downs | First Down % | 20+ Yards | Sacks | Sack Yards | Rating |
| 2018 | New York Jets | 13 | 414 | 239 | 57.7 | 2865 | 6.9 | 76 | 17 | 15 | 130 | 31.4 | 40 | 30 | 204 | 77.6 |
| 2019 | New York Jets | 13 | 441 | 273 | 61.9 | 3024 | 6.9 | 92 | 19 | 13 | 147 | 33.3 | 40 | 33 | 212 | 84.3 |
| 2020 | New York Jets | 12 | 364 | 217 | 59.6 | 2208 | 6.1 | 69 | 9 | 11 | 109 | 30 | 27 | 35 | 234 | 72.7 |
| 2021 | Carolina Panthers | 12 | 406 | 243 | 59.8 | 2527 | 6.2 | 63 | 9 | 13 | 123 | 30.3 | 30 | 35 | 204 | 71.9 |
| 2022 | Carolina Panthers | 6 | 140 | 82 | 58.6 | 1143 | 8.2 | 52 | 7 | 3 | 57 | 40.7 | 17 | 10 | 78 | 92.6 |
| 2023 | San Francisco 49ers | 5 | 3 | 2 | 66.7 | 7 | 2.3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39.6 |
| Total | – | 59 | 1765 | 1054 | 59.7 | 11767 | 6.7 | 92 | 61 | 55 | 566 | 32.1 | 154 | 143 | 932 | 78.2 |
FAQs
Where did Sam Darnold play college football?
Sam Darnold played college football at the University of Southern California (USC).
What NFL team drafted Sam Darnold?
Sam Darnold was drafted by the New York Jets in the 1st round (3rd overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.
What position does Sam Darnold play?
Darnold plays as a quarterback.
What jersey number does Sam Darnold wear?
While with the New York Jets, Sam Darnold wore jersey number 14. After being traded to the Carolina Panthers, he also wore jersey number 14.
How tall is Sam Darnold?
Sam Darnold is 6 feet 3 inches tall (approximately 191 cm).
Where is Sam Darnold from?
Sam Darnold is from Capistrano Beach, California, in the United States.
What are some highlights of Sam Darnold’s college football career at USC?
Sam Darnold had a successful college career at USC, leading the Trojans to notable victories and earning recognition for his passing ability and leadership.
What are some career highlights of Sam Darnold in the NFL?
In the NFL, Sam Darnold has shown flashes of potential as a quarterback, demonstrating his arm strength, mobility, and ability to play under pressure.
Has Sam Darnold won any awards or honors?
During his college career, Sam Darnold earned various accolades and was regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in collegiate football. In the NFL, he continues to develop his skills and seek recognition for his performances.
What are some expectations for Sam Darnold’s future in the NFL?
As a young quarterback with the Carolina Panthers, Sam Darnold is expected to continue developing his talents, improving his consistency, and leading his team to success in the competitive NFL.
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