Pro Football Network once labeled Sam Darnold’s contract with the Seattle Seahawks as one of the worst in free agency. Fast forward to today, and Darnold is performing as one of the league’s top quarterbacks. However, his journey to this point hasn’t been smooth.
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Seahawks GM John Schneider recently reflected on Darnold’s past experiences during an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio, and mentioned the challenges that the quarterback faced along the way.
“You look at the progress and when, you know, he could have gone anywhere he wanted before he went to San Francisco to compete for a starting job,” Schneider said.
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He further added, “And, you know, he wanted to go work with Kyle in that group. And, you know, at the time, coincidentally, (Seahawks offensive coordinator) Klint Kubiak was there, too, because in his mind, he just wanted to learn what we wanted to learn or about the quarterback.”
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Quarterback Sam Darnold’s career has been a winding path through the NFL. Drafted third overall by the New York Jets in 2018, he spent three turbulent seasons in New York trying to stabilize a struggling offense before being traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2021.
Schneider spoke about his Jets days. “He goes to the Jets. There’s really only one person that can run the Peyton Manning offense. This wasn’t a great situation at the time for him. And you know, it’s hard for those guys to step in and just go ahead and go play.” Talking about Darnold’s struggles with the Jets.
In New York, he posted a 13–25 record as a starter, flashing moments of potential but often undone by turnovers and inconsistent play. His best year came in 2019 when he threw for over 3,000 yards and 19 touchdowns, but the lack of surrounding talent and constant coaching changes stunted his development.
A trade to the Carolina Panthers in 2021 offered a fresh start, yet the results were mixed. Darnold’s first year in Carolina mirrored his Jets struggles, but 2022 showed signs of improvement in limited action, with a 4–2 record and a 92.6 passer rating, his best at the time, leading to a one-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, where he served primarily as a backup.
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Darnold spent a year with the San Francisco 49ers as quarterback Brock Purdy’s backup. He started the regular-season finale. Looking back, he calls the stint under coach Kyle Shanahan and alongside Purdy a valuable learning experience.
“That year was incredible to be able to learn football from Kyle (Shanahan),” Darnold said, “from that entire staff that was there, former QB coach Brian Griese, the Kubiaks, [now-Seahawks offensive coordinator] Klint, who obviously, we’re with now.”
After his 49ers stint, Darnold joined the Minnesota Vikings and proved the impact Shanahan’s coaching had on him. With the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, Darnold delivered a breakout campaign, throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns while leading the team to a 14–3 record and earning Pro Bowl honors. His 14-3 record tied them with Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles for the second-most wins in the NFL.
However, after his struggles in the final regular-season game and a first-round playoff loss, the Vikings decided not to sign another deal with the QB. This is when the Seahawks took a chance on him. And the team hasn’t regretted signing him to a three-year, $105 million deal.
It’s Week 6, and Darnold has been phenomenal. He is the top-graded QB in the NFL per PFF and sits second in ESPN’s QBR. This includes both passing and rushing against tough defenses.
“We have a very special quarterback here,” Seahawks tight end AJ Barner said. “And I think people are starting to find that out.”
What’s more interesting is that he is playing a crucial role in elevating the team
The Seattle Seahawks continue to rise in the NFL rankings
The Seahawks are climbing the power rankings after a Week 6 victory, beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-12. And this didn’t go unnoticed. Nate Davis slots Seattle at No. 4, while Luke Hubbard (ES) ranks them even higher at No. 3. PFF has the Seahawks’ offense ranked first in the league, with the defense sitting at 11th.
The Seahawks’ offense has been a major threat, led by the league’s arguably most potent quarterback-receiver duo. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been at his best, surpassing wide receiver Puka Nakua, leading in receiving yards (696).
Sam Darnold continues to operate at an elite level, boasting a 116.0 passer rating, one of the best in the league. His precision and poise have translated into explosive production, leading the NFL with 13.5 yards per completion. After years of searching for consistency, Darnold is finally maximizing his opportunities, turning efficiency into big-play success for Seattle’s offense.
If Seattle can keep this balance of elite passing and solid defense, it’ll continue their push up the rankings. Now, the Seahawks will look to continue the momentum into Week 7, where they face a tough Texans defense on Monday night at 10 p.m.