In a surprising crossover between the tech world and the NFL, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk made waves by publicly weighing in on the value of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold. In a tweet that instantly went viral, Musk compared Darnold to Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, stating, “Darnold is half of Jared Goff, can’t justify a salary that high.”
The comment, seemingly out of nowhere, sparked a frenzy on social media. Musk, known for his unfiltered opinions on everything from space exploration to cryptocurrency, now appears to have added professional sports to his repertoire. The billionaire’s blunt assessment raised eyebrows, with fans and analysts alike debating the merit of his critique.
Musk’s remark seemed to target Darnold’s performance relative to his perceived market value. Once a highly touted draft pick, Darnold has faced scrutiny throughout his career for inconsistent play. His tenure with the 49ers has seen flashes of potential, but the team’s reliance on its defense and run game has limited Darnold’s role in the spotlight.
Despite Musk’s lack of credentials in evaluating NFL talent, his tweet ignited a storm of reactions. Some fans echoed Musk’s sentiment, criticizing Darnold’s performance relative to his salary. Others defended the quarterback, pointing out the team dynamics and the challenges Darnold has faced in his career.
Amid the uproar, Darnold’s response caught fans off guard. Instead of firing back at Musk or dismissing the comment, Darnold took the high road, tweeting: “Thanks for the feedback, @elonmusk. If you’re free, let’s grab a coffee and talk about it—maybe Tesla could sponsor my next game!”
The humorous and self-aware reply won over fans, with many praising Darnold for his cool-headed approach. The tweet quickly gained traction, garnering thousands of likes and retweets within hours. It even prompted Musk to reply: “Only if you throw me a touchdown pass first.”
The exchange between Musk and Darnold sparked lighthearted debates across the NFL community. Some joked about Musk’s potential as an NFL analyst, while others speculated about a possible partnership between Darnold and Tesla.
As the 49ers prepare for their next game, Darnold’s focus will undoubtedly remain on the field. However, his ability to turn a seemingly negative situation into a moment of levity has won him new fans. For now, it seems Musk’s criticism has done more to highlight Darnold’s character than question his value as a player.
