Feb. 9, 2026, 6:54 a.m. PT
The Seattle Seahawks put the cap on a fantastic NFL season with a Super Bowl 60 victory. The Seahawks’ defense did a lot of the heavy lifting with how dominant they were, and Kenneth Walker was fantastic for another playoff game. All that was left for Sam Darnold in this game was not to turn over the ball. Be the better quarterback in this game, and that is exactly what he did.
Sam Darnold threw for 202 yards and 1 passing touchdown in this game. His numbers were far from perfect, and the same goes for his performance as a whole. He missed some throws and at times was a cause for the Seahawks early offensive struggles. But he for sure did not ruin a dominant defensive performance like C.J. Stroud and throw multiple interceptions. He did not throw a single pick in the whole postseason — 5 TDs and 0 INTs in three games against the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, and New England Patriots. He did not force things when he clearly did not have to. He took the game exactly for what he was given, and when things opened up, he threw a passing touchdown to AJ Barner.
Sam Darnold might have had a game manager performance, but he has been exactly what he has needed to be for the Seahawks to win all season long. In the NFC Championship Game, he had to be an elite quarterback, and he was. He sent the MVP and elite coach Sean McVay packing. He had the best game of his career in the biggest game of his career. Sam Darnold earned this moment and this championship ring just as much as anyone. He made history twice for his alma mater and has fully turned his career around. Now he will not be remembered for being the quarterback who sees ghosts in the biggest games. He is known as a Super Bowl-winning quarterback and a top-ten quarterback in the league.
Kenneth Walker earned himself a lot of money this offseason. Walker stepped up big time and time again for Seattle this season. The playoffs were no different for the pending free agent. Walker would have won MVP vs the 49ers, too, as he had a hat trick in the divisional round plus 116 yards. In this game, he won Super Bowl MVP with 135 yards on the ground. He was the offense and the perfect complement to a great defensive outing. There is no reason he should not be back with the Seahawks next season, especially with Zach Charbonnet recovering from his serious injury.
The Seahawks’ defense could have won MVP as well, as they completely stunned the New England Patriots offense. Drake Maye was sacked 6 times in this game, and he was under pressure for nearly the entire game. The Seahawks defense did not let up on the young quarterback. Former USC Trojan Uchenna Nwosu got his moment too as he intercepted Drake Maye for a touchdown late in this game. Just like Malcom Smith Nwosu joins the list of defenders to find the endzone in the big game. This game cemented coach Mike Macdonald as one of the best coaches in the league. He really has ended every one of those defensive Sean McVay discussions. He is one of the best young minds in the league, and this Seahawks team will be a problem for quite some time.
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
Sam Darnold leads his team to a dream season, and his NFL career continues its great story. In this chapter, he adds a Super Bowl ring with a couple of his USC Trojan brothers. There has not been a quarterback labeled a bust that has bounced back just like this. Darnold now still has a chance for even more success in Seattle, and this very well could not be the only banner they hang in his tenure in Seattle. He will at least have one more season with his Trojan brothers to get one more title this next season. For now, Darnold, Leonard Williams, Uchenna Nwosu, and Brandon Pili are world champions.