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Sam Darnold had a message for the Jets and their fans after winning Super Bowl LX with the Seahawks
The New York Jets didn’t come close to reaching Super Bowl LX in 2025, which isn’t much of a surprise. The opposite was true for one of their former quarterbacks, though, as Sam Darnold was the guy under center for the Seattle Seahawks as they took down the Jets’ longtime division rival, the New England Patriots, by a score of 29-13.
It wasn’t long ago that Darnold appeared to be one of the bigger busts in recent NFL memory for New York. And given how his tenure with the team came to an end, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he wasn’t too fond of his former team. In the wake of his Super Bowl victory with the Seahawks, Darnold let everyone know just how he truly feels about the Jets.
Sam Darnold Thanks Jets Fans in Wake of Super Bowl Victory
I asked Sam Darnold if he had a message to #Jets fans who have continued to support him:
“Thank you.”
“I always look at myself and feel like I could’ve done a lot more for that franchise.”
“The fact that [Jets fans] are able to support me even through that means a lot.”
The Jets selected Darnold with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft with the hope that he could become their quarterback of the future. That never materialized, though, as Darnold struggled mightily during his three-season stint with the team. Turnovers were the biggest issue for Darnold, as he threw 39 interceptions compared to 45 touchdowns during his time with New York.
Darnold was traded to the Carolina Panthers ahead of the 2021 campaign, but after two more mediocre seasons with them, he latched on with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, working as Brock Purdy’s backup quarterback. That proved to be precisely the sort of reset that Darnold needed, as he was scooped up by the Minnesota Vikings in free agency and promptly put together a Pro Bowl-caliber season (361/545, 4,319 YDS, 35 TD, 12 INT).
Seattle signed Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million contract last offseason, and in his first season with the team, he led them to a Super Bowl victory. That’s certainly been a tough pill for the Jets to swallow, as they clearly gave up on Darnold too soon. And while Darnold certainly wouldn’t be faulted for holding that against the team, he recently revealed that he still has a lot of love for his former squad.
“That’s all you can ask for as a player, is to feel supported, especially by the team that drafted me,” Darnold said of the Jets and their fans. “I always look at myself and feel like I could’ve done a lot more for that franchise when I was there. The fact that they are able to support me, even through that, means a lot.”
Jets Still Looking for Their Quarterback of the Future
GettySam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates after defeating the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl LX.
It took him a little longer than initially expected, but Darnold eventually found his way in the NFL. The Jets, meanwhile, are still stuck in the same spot they were in when they moved on from Darnold. Their quest to find a proper replacement for him has come up empty, and it will be back to the drawing board once again this offseason.
New York may not have done enough to properly support Darnold during his time in town, but it’s also safe to say he looked nothing like the player he is now with Seattle. That’s just how the cookie crumbles sometimes, but it doesn’t make Darnold’s success any easier for the Jets and their fans to stomach. Until the front office can find a proper answer at quarterback, though, chances are this team will remain in the same spot it’s been in for the past decade or so.
Owen Crisafulli Owen Crisafulli is a Breaking News Writer at Heavy. In addition to writing for Heavy, Owen works as a Content Producer for More Views Media. His work has also appeared on ClutchPoints, The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Basketball Network, and FanSided, where he shared his insights on a variety of sports topics primarily surrounding the NFL, NBA, and MLB. More about Owen Crisafulli
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