Sam Darnold signed with the San Francisco 49ers earlier this week, and his rationale behind the decision stemmed from wanting the one thing he feels like he hasn't gotten his entire career. 

Great coaching. 

Darnold will most likely serve as a third-string quarterback, following his two seasons in Carolina where he was subject to uncertainty and constant questioning. Now, headed for San Francisco, Darnold will have both elite coaching and some certainty regarding his role. 

"Being in a really good organization was a priority for me," Darnold said. "Being with really good coaches and really good personnel as well. Those were the top things for me. Very happy to be here, but understand that I've got to continue to work."

What attracted Darnold was the idea of the offense the 49ers like to run. Specifically, Darnold was seeking an opportunity to pick Kyle Shanahan's mind. 

"I understand there's a lot of different checks, shifts, motions, formations, all those things [in his offense]," Darnold said. "Very excited about the opportunity to do that."

Darnold actually played fairly well near the end of last season. After the Panthers cycled through all the quarterbacks on the roster, they landed back with Darnold and he put together an impressive stretch of solid quarterbacking without turning the ball over. He attributes that streak of success to playing within himself, not forcing the issue, and just taking what the opposing defense is giving him. 

"For me, it was just playing within myself," he said. "That was the biggest thing. It was just playing patient. That was the biggest difference for me — not forcing things when they're not there. When you turn the ball over and force the ball in there, you can't have a chance late in the game. I was just staying within myself and staying patient."

Darnold isn't going to press the issue regarding starting reps, he said. He's just trying to learn the playbook and channel the spirit that led to his success in the 2022 NFL season.