New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold still has a believer in analyst extraordinaire Brian Baldinger. In fact, Baldy believes Darnold could flourish with a head coach like Kyle Shanahan and a team like the San Francisco 49ers.
Darnold's name has been thrown around as someone who might be an option for the 49ers, should they decide to part ways with Jimmy Garoppolo. Baldy joined 95.7 The Game on Monday and was asked if Darnold might be a player who can have a turnaround if united with an offensive mind like Shanahan's.
"Yes, I do," Baldinger responded on The Morning Roast. "… Look, the guy never had a single healthy receiver throughout all of training camp. And then, I don't know how you do this, but they lost three offensive tackles in the first half of a Thursday-night game against Denver.
"So, playing a backup center that's really a practice-squad player at right tackle. I mean, he's never had a healthy offensive line or a healthy receiving core. But if he got anywhere near that, I think Sam can be a really good player."
Baldy does note that Garoppolo has suffered through some of the same problems as Darnold this season. The 49ers quarterback hasn't had an opportunity to build in-game chemistry with his offensive weapons this season, which may partly explain his up-and-down play.
Outside of the limitations caused by COVID-19 and the lack of a proper offseason, Garoppolo lost young star receiver Deebo Samuel before training even started. Then he lost rookie Brandon Aiyuk. Then the quarterback suffered two high-ankle sprains himself and is currently out until around Week 15.
Understandably, it isn't easy to build in-game chemistry with your teammates if you can't get into the game with them.
As for Darnold, Baldy added: "I think Sam Darnold is still going to be a good quarterback in this league."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Baldinger below.