Sam Darnold, who was the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, has had a well-traveled career across the league. After starting with the Jets, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2021, later joined the San Francisco 49ers in 2023 where he played 10 games and started once, and then signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. During his time with the Vikings, Darnold earned a Pro Bowl nod after helping the team reach the playoffs, guided by coach Kevin O’Donnell, the 2024 NFL Coach of the Year. Despite Minnesota’s strong 14-3 record and wild card berth, their season ended abruptly in a 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Darnold’s future with the Vikings was uncertain, especially after the team selected University of Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the first round of the 2024 draft.
Why Sam Darnold’s Move to Seattle Makes Strategic Sense
In 2024, Sam Darnold signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks, marking his fifth NFL team in eight seasons. The Seahawks, under general manager John Schneider, were actively revamping their offense, which ranked 14th in the league prior to Darnold’s arrival. The quarterback room shifted notably in mid-March when Seattle traded starter Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, opening a spot for Darnold.
Reflecting on his decision to join the Seahawks, Darnold told Albert Breer of SI.com,
“It just made sense. The Geno (Smith) trade went down, I thought, O.K., this could be an interesting place. Then, with the conversations my agent was having with people in the front office, it all kind of made sense to me. Obviously, there were a couple other teams, which I won’t get into detail about. But, yeah, I’ll just say it made a ton of sense.”
—Sam Darnold, Quarterback
An important factor in Darnold’s choice was the presence of Klint Kubiak, Seattle’s new offensive coordinator, who previously worked with him on the 49ers in 2023. Their existing familiarity is expected to aid the quarterback as he integrates into the Seahawks’ system. Significantly, Darnold set career bests in 2024 with a 66.2% completion rate, 4,319 passing yards, and 35 touchdown passes, making him a highly sought-after player among multiple NFL teams.
Context and Expectations Surrounding Darnold’s Seahawks Signing
Sam Darnold’s acquisition by Seattle is a critical development for the franchise as they rebuild their offense and look to improve their competitiveness after trading away Geno Smith. The Seahawks’ move signals confidence in Darnold’s upward trajectory and his ability to lead the team forward. His experience across several organizations, combined with his recent peak performance, suggests he could be the answer to Seattle’s quarterback needs.
This signing also reflects the competitive nature of the NFL quarterback market, as Darnold revealed there were other interested teams. His challenge now lies in proving that his 2024 season was not an outlier, but rather an indication of long-term growth. With Klint Kubiak calling plays and John Schneider backing the roster overhaul, the Seahawks are positioned to give Darnold a fresh chapter in his career.