Brock Purdy suffers ultimate embarrassment after loss to former backup

Brock Purdy lost to his former San Francisco 49ers backup Sam Darnold as the Minnesota Vikings pulled off an impressive win - with the quarterback proving to the league what he's capable of after being given a starting job.

The third overall draft pick in 2018, Darnold struggled early after being selected by the New York Jets , before a subpar stint with the Carolina Panthers saw him take a backup job with the Niners for the 2023 season. Throughout the year, beat reporters and Niners fans had raved about Darnold after his performances in practice and when coming in for Purdy , with many wanting to see him stay as the backup.

But after San Francisco chose to let him walk, Darnold joined the Vikings where he was expected to compete with a rookie quarterback coming in. The franchise eventually drafted JJ McCarthy , who was ruled out with a season-ending meniscus tear prior to the year beginning - leaving Darnold with the starting job.

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After an impressive performance in Week 1 to defeat the struggling Panthers, the Vikings backed that up with a statement win against the Niners with Darnold getting one over Purdy.

Darnold threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 32 yards in the win over the Niners, while Purdy threw for 319 yards, a touchdown and an interception while taking six sacks in the game.

The Vikings had their superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson taking over the game, scoring a 97-yard touchdown while dominating the Niners' cornerbacks before leaving with an injury in the third quarter.

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Even without Jefferson though, Darnold continued to impress while getting the ball to their third-choice wide receiver Jalen Nailor - who put up 54 yards and a score with the Vikings defense doing enough to limit Purdy.

The Niners loss means they fall to a 1-1 record to begin their season after an opening win over the Jets, with them set to face the Los Angeles Rams next week in an NFC West divisional rivalry game. They sit one win behind the Seattle Seahawks in their division.

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