While Darnold’s worth may be uncertain too, a reunion in San Francisco could work better for both teams. Darnold doesn’t have an injury problem, for one. And with the 49ers weapons and a rejuvenated career, he might pan out better than Purdy.

Last August, in the midst of NFL training camps, I visited the Minnesota Vikings and found myself camped out with a member of the team’s brain trust. Not far away, Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy were alternating in 11-on-11 drills when the conversation turned into an art versus science debate about when to turn a team over to a young quarterback.