Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is teaching and implementing a new system, but quarterback Sam Darnold has some familiarity with it already.
When Sam Darnold signed with the Seahawks back in March, he said the knowledge of the system that offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak runs, "was definitely one of the things that I factored into signing here, and again, just being able to work with Klint, and having talked with Klint a ton in San Francisco about kind of what we liked, disliked. We have so much in common when it comes to football, and yeah, just very pumped to get this thing going."
Darnold served as backup to 49ers quarterback, Brock Purdy, when Kubiak was the passing game coordinator in 2023.
Now, the third phase of organized team activities is allowing Darnold to, "get this thing going," and learning all that Kubiak's offense has to offer.
"There's some familiar things that obviously we did in San Francisco," Darnold said. "But just learning a ton, learning a ton right now and just like I mentioned kind of before, just building with the guys and taking it one day at a time."
While the system is not exactly what he and Darnold know from San Francisco, "Not giving away any trade secrets," Kubiak said he mentioned it was a good starting point for them now.
"We're putting our own system together," he said. "But right now, just putting in some base offense and having those guys go out and execute every day."
Knowing what comes with Kubiak's offense also gives Darnold the chance to step up and help create the identity of the offense.
"I think understanding the offense a little bit, coming from San Francisco, what we did in '23 and with Klint. I told the guys any questions that you got come up to me, ask me anything. And I think that's the biggest thing is just continuing to talk back and forth with the guys about the certain routes and the details."
After his 2023 season with the 49ers, Darnold went on to have an explosive season with the Minnesota Vikings, where he led the team to a 14-3 season, made his first Pro Bowl, threw for over 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns.
On his growth since their time together in San Francisco, Kubiak said, "You see the tape, the tape tells it all. He (Sam Darnold) grew a lot. He took an opportunity there and ran with it, and he's been doing a great job for us here. He's studying, he's teaching the young guys, helping me get the system taught, as well as guys like Cooper Kupp. But really impressed with Sam (Darnold) thus far, impressed with Drew (Lock), impressed with Jalen (Milroe). That's three really good players."
Working alongside both Lock and Milroe, Darnold said, "It's been great. Drew (Lock) and J (Jalen Milroe) have been amazing to share the room with, with Coach [Andrew] Janocko, and then Tyson (Prince) as well. Klint pops in every now and then too, which is always great. It's just amazing to be able to share that room and have some great guys that are not only eager to learn, but also guys that are great dudes that can also hang out."
