If you’re looking for sam donald stats today, you've probably noticed something weird. First off, let's clear the air: his name is Sam Darnold. The "Sam Donald" thing is basically a long-running internet meme from a parody subreddit that refuses to die. But names aside, what he’s doing on the field right now for the Seattle Seahawks is actually kind of insane.
Most people wrote this guy off years ago. He was the "see ghosts" quarterback with the Jets. Then he was the backup in San Francisco. But today? He's the guy who just led Seattle to the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Honestly, the numbers tell a story of a total career resurrection. We aren't just talking about a "game manager" anymore. He's putting up top-tier production that has the Seahawks looking like Super Bowl favorites.
The 2025-26 Regular Season Breakdown
The regular season just wrapped up, and the sam donald stats today reflect a player who has finally found the right system. In 17 games, Darnold threw for 4,048 passing yards. That is the second straight year he’s cleared the 4,000-yard mark.
He finished the year with 25 passing touchdowns and 14 interceptions. While 14 picks might seem high to some, you've gotta look at the aggression. He ranked 4th in the NFL in "Big-Time Throws" according to PFF. He’s taking shots.
- Completion Percentage: 67.7%
- Passer Rating: 99.1
- Record as Starter: 14-3
- Rushing Yards: 95 (with 0 TDs this year, surprisingly)
It’s a different vibe than his 2024 season in Minnesota, where he actually had more touchdowns (35). In Seattle, he’s been asked to be slightly more efficient. He’s averaging 8.5 yards per attempt, which is massive. It shows he isn't just checking it down to Jaxon Smith-Njigba or DK Metcalf; he’s pushing the ball vertically.
That Wild Playoff Win Against the Niners
Just yesterday, January 17, 2026, Darnold suited up for the Divisional Round against the San Francisco 49ers. If you missed the box score, the Seahawks absolutely dismantled them 41-6.
Now, if you only look at the raw sam donald stats today from that game, you might think he was quiet. He went 12-for-17 for 124 yards and one touchdown.
But context is everything.
The Seahawks defense and special teams were so dominant that Seattle played from ahead the entire night. He didn't have to throw 40 times. He was surgical. That 12-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the first half basically put the nail in the coffin. He finished with a 110.9 passer rating in his first career playoff win.
Think about that. After eight years in the league, the guy finally got a postseason "W."
Why the Oblique Injury Matters
There was a lot of chatter leading into the 49ers game about an oblique injury. He was listed as questionable. Honestly, you could see it a little bit in his limited rushing—he only had a few scrambles and didn't look quite as fluid.
But he played through it.
The Seahawks have a first-round bye (thanks to that No. 1 seed), so he’s got another week to recover before the NFC Championship. If that oblique holds up, the Seahawks' offense is a nightmare to scheme against because he's currently the highest-rated passer in the league when throwing from outside the pocket (115.5 rating).
Comparing the "New" Sam to the "Old" Sam
It is wild to compare these current stats to his days in New York or Carolina. Back then, he was lucky to hit a 60% completion rate.
| Metric | Jets/Panthers Era (Avg) | 2025 Seattle Season |
|---|---|---|
| Completion % | ~59.5% | 67.7% |
| TD:INT Ratio | 1:1 (roughly) | ~1.8:1 |
| Yards Per Attempt | 6.7 | 8.5 |
He’s basically a different human being. Mike Macdonald’s system in Seattle emphasizes his arm strength but limits those "hero ball" throws that used to result in triple-coverage interceptions.
The Financial Reality of These Stats
The Seahawks didn't get him for pennies. He signed a 3-year, $100.5 million contract.
In 2026, his cap hit jumps to $35.9 million. That sounds like a lot, but when you look at the sam donald stats today, he’s playing like a top-10 QB. Compared to the $55M or $60M a year the elite guys are getting, Seattle actually has a bit of a bargain. They’ve surrounded him with AJ Barner and a resurgent offensive line, which has kept his sack rate down to about 15% under pressure.
What’s Next for Sam in the Playoffs?
The Seahawks are sitting pretty. With the win over San Francisco, they are one game away from the Super Bowl.
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For fantasy owners or just stats nerds, the big takeaway is efficiency over volume. Don't expect him to throw for 400 yards in the NFC Championship. Expect 225 yards, 2 TDs, and maybe one "how did he do that" throw into a tight window.
Actionable Insights for Following Sam Darnold:
- Monitor the Oblique: Check the Wednesday practice reports. If he’s a "full participant," expect his rushing/scrambling yards to tick back up.
- Watch the Red Zone: One area of struggle lately has been the red zone. In Week 15 against Indy, they kicked six field goals. If they want to win the Lombardi, Sam has to turn those 20-yard drives into six points.
- Ignore the "Donald" Typos: If you're searching for deep analytics, use "Darnold" to find the PFF grades and Next Gen Stats, as "Sam Donald" will mostly give you meme pages and old political parodies.
The turnaround is real. Whether you call him Sam Darnold or use the "Sam Donald" meme, the stats don't lie: he’s a legitimate MVP candidate heading into the final stretch of 2026.