Star Receiver’s Contract Dispute Escalates: 49ers’ Offensive Firepower in Jeopardy
Darnold could earn a big contract incentive with 49ersand#039; victory vs. Rams Originally Posted on NBC Sports Bay AreaThe 49ers’ regular season finale may neither help nor hurt their NFL playoff seeding.But it could give quarterback Sam Darnold’s bank account a nice boost.
Darnold will make his first start for the 49ers on Sunday as coach Kyle Shanahan opted to sideline Pro Bowl quarterback Brock Purdy. Brandon Allen works for 49ersand#039; Sunday free.As part of the contract Darnold signed with the 49ers in March, he will receive a $300,000 incentive for every game in which he plays at least 25 percent of the snaps and the 49ers win.The 49ers (12-4) closed out the regular season on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams (9-7) at Levi’s Stadium.
San Francisco is locked into the top spot in the NFC playoffs with home-field advantage and a first-round seed in the playoffs.The Rams are also headed to the playoffs as they are seeded 6th or 7th in the NFC and open the postseason next weekend.
Coach Sean McVay announced that some of the Rams’ top players, including quarterback Matthew Stafford and defensive lineman Aaron Donald, are ineligible.General manager John Lynch said this week that Darnold turned down more lucrative contract offers to sign with the 49ers as an unrestricted free agent.
Purdy started the first 16 games of the season, so Darnold has little playing time entering Week 18 with just 69 tackles through nine contests.Asked this week if he thought about signing with the 49ers, Darnold said: “No. No. . Zero regrets.”Darnold signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal in the offseason, then beat out Trey Lance for the backup job behind Purdy. He can also earn an additional $100,000 for each playoff game in which he plays 50 percent or more of the 49ers’ snaps..
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