Nobody saw this coming back in 2023. Sam Darnold was a backup in San Francisco, basically a footnote in the Brock Purdy story. Fast forward to early 2026, and he’s the guy leading the Seattle Seahawks into the playoffs as the NFC’s top seed.
Football is weird.
Last March, when John Schneider decided to trade Geno Smith to the Raiders, the Pacific Northwest collective held its breath. Geno had been the ultimate "comeback kid" story, and replacing him with a guy who had washed out of New York and Carolina felt like a massive gamble. But the Seahawks didn't just stumble into this. They signed Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million contract because they saw what he did in Minnesota—14 wins and a Pro Bowl nod—and bet that it wasn't a fluke.
Honestly, the "ghosts" in New York feel like a lifetime ago.
The Klint Kubiak Connection
You can’t talk about Sam Darnold and the Seahawks without mentioning Klint Kubiak. This was the secret sauce. Darnold and Kubiak had spent time together in San Francisco, and that familiarity allowed Sam to hit the ground running in Seattle’s version of the West Coast offense.
It’s about language.
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When a quarterback doesn't have to translate the playbook in his head before the snap, he plays faster. You saw that throughout the 2025 season. Darnold wasn't just managing games; he was hunting. He led the league in deep passing yards at one point, frequently finding Jaxon Smith-Njigba on those intermediate crossers that make this scheme so lethal.
14-3 and the "Brady" Milestone
People love to debate if Sam is "elite" or just a "system QB." Does it even matter when you’re winning?
By leading Seattle to a 14-3 record in 2025, Darnold joined some incredibly rare company. He became one of only two quarterbacks in NFL history—alongside some guy named Tom Brady—to post back-to-back 14-win seasons.
- 2024 (Vikings): 14-3 record, 3,530 yards, 30+ touchdowns.
- 2025 (Seahawks): 14-3 record, over 4,000 yards, another Pro Bowl selection.
He also became the first ever to do it with two different teams in consecutive years. That’s not a fluke. That’s a guy who finally found the right environment after years of organizational chaos.
The Reality of the Roster
Seattle isn't just winning because of Sam's arm. Mike Macdonald has built a defensive juggernaut that takes the pressure off. There were weeks, like the Week 13 shutout against his old Vikings team, where Sam only had to throw for 128 yards because the defense and the run game were so dominant.
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Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet have been workhorses.
But when the lights got bright—like the 38-37 overtime thriller against the Rams—Darnold showed up. He threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns in that game, proving he could handle the "must-win" moments that used to haunt him.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a narrative that the Seahawks overpaid. A $33.5 million average salary sounds like a lot until you realize the quarterback market exploded. Compared to what other starters are making, Sam’s deal is actually pretty team-friendly.
The Seahawks have a "potential out" in 2027.
If things go south, they aren't married to him forever. They even drafted Jalen Milroe in the third round last year to keep the pipeline moving. But right now? Milroe is holding a clipboard because Sam is playing the best football of his life.
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The Road Ahead
We’re currently looking at a Seahawks team that is the No. 1 seed. The road to the Super Bowl goes through Lumen Field. The "12s" are fully on board, and the skepticism from last March has mostly evaporated into the rainy Seattle air.
Darnold’s journey from "bust" to "NFC powerhouse" is a reminder that situation is everything in the NFL. He’s tough, he’s finally accurate, and he’s found a coach in Macdonald who trusts him.
If you're watching the Seahawks this postseason, pay attention to how Sam handles the blitz. Last year, he was one of the top-rated passers against extra pressure. If he keeps that composure, Seattle might be planning a parade.
To truly understand this Seahawks' run, keep an eye on Sam’s turnover numbers in the first half of playoff games. His success usually hinges on avoiding that one "big mistake" early on. If he plays clean through the first two quarters, Seattle’s defense typically does enough to lock down the rest.
Check the injury reports for the offensive line before kickoff, as Sam’s production has historically dipped when the interior pocket collapses quickly. If the front five stays healthy, the deep ball to Metcalf remains the most dangerous weapon in their arsenal.