Sam Darnold hits the ground running at 1st Seahawks training camp

RENTON, Wash. — Sam Darnold had an eventful summer break.

In the time between minicamp wrapping up in June and the official start of Seahawks training camp this week, the new Seattle quarterback found time to work out with his teammates.

But he also found time to get engaged—and he wasn’t the only one. Several of them also became engaged, including one of his new receivers, Jake Bobo.

“We did not coordinate that. It worked out like that,” Darnold said. “It’s really the only time we get off in the summer. We knew that there were going to be a few guys getting engaged around the same time.”

A huge life milestone, and of course, that brief summer break is the perfect time to make it happen.

Now? It’s all about taking tangible steps towards the 2025 season. One where Darnold hopes he can lead the Seahawks attack and get this team back to the playoffs for the first time since 2022.

“For us, it’s playing fast, playing decisive. We talk about that all the time in team meetings and in offensive meetings, just being very decisive with what we’re doing,” said Darnold. “Schematically, and for me, it’s also listening to my feet. That’s a huge thing that we always preach in the quarterback room. It’s ‘if my first read’s not there, check it down.’ There’s no reason to sit in the pocket a little longer because I think something might open up, especially on first and second down, just get to the check down and move on.”

“I think we’re going to be able to run the football,” Darnold added. “Klint’s (Kubiak) offense, this system that we have, the coaches that we have to be able to teach the run game are some of the best in the NFL, in my opinion. So we’re going to do that, and then we’re going to play-action. When we get an opportunity to drop back and throw the rock a little bit on second and medium, second and long, and then third down situations, we’re going to push the ball down the field.”

Ever the humble leader on offense, Darnold praised his teammates’ performance so far.

“A ton of guys are making plays,” Darnold said about his receivers. “It’s what you want to see in training camp. All the guys making plays.”

“Like I said, if we get a chance to push it down the field, we have all the confidence in the world that guys are going to go up, make plays,” Darnold added. “If we do check it down to a running back, tight end or even a receiver, they’re going to be able to run after the catch.”

He especially raved about rookie second-round draft pick Elijah Arroyo at tight end.

“Elijah has a lot of great traits. Learning the system, understanding what we’re doing, every single play, understanding concepts,” Darnold said. “You can already tell he’s studied a ton in the summer and he’s coming here, he’s really knowing his stuff right now. We’ll see as we continue to go through installs throughout the week. But he’s doing a great job so far and he’s a big target and easy to find on the field.”

So, a new chapter of Seahawks Football gets going fittingly in the franchise’s 50th season. Darnold will be charged with leading the most important position, of course, and executing a new offensive scheme.

How it all plays out is anyone’s guess, but the reality is if the offense can protect the football, it should provide enough support for a defense that figures to be elite after what we saw from the unit at the end of 2024.

The stage is set, now it’s full steam ahead to see what the Darnold-led Seahawks can do in September.

Sam Darnold hits the ground running at 1st Seahawks training camp

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