NFL insider: Seahawks believe Sam Darnold's best football is yet to come

Seattle sees Sam Darnold building on his breakout 2024 campaign rather than regressing.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up before the game between Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. | Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up before the game between Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.

The Seattle Seahawks may have made the most polarizing signing in this year's free agent period. Depending on who you ask, Sam Darnold's three-year, $100.5 million deal is either a stroke of genius or a historic blunder by a franchise that would have been better off with Geno Smith. An illustration of just how little consensus there is on this move is this week's appearances by Darnold on multiple "worst" free agent signing lists, as well as being named one of the best.

The schism all really depends on whether or not you believe Darnold's game will continue to grow as he builds on his breakout 2024 season with the VIkings, or if he'll regress back to the kind of QB we saw early in his career with the Jets.

The Seahawks clearly believe that Darnold's best days are ahead of him - even if they may not currently have as good of a supporting cast as Minnesota had last year. Here's Omar Ruiz at NFL Network breaking down why Seattle believes in Darnold's development.

NFL Network on Sam Darnold - Seahawks

New QB Sam Darnold & the #Seahawks are confident his best football is still in front of him. How what he leaned with the Vikings last year could help in ‘25👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/9lO7Rsj3IX
— Omar Ruiz (@OmarDRuiz) March 21, 2025

There is little doubt that the Vikings had a better offensive line, wide receiver corps and playcaller than the Seahawks will this year. However, even when you account for all of the supporting factors it's difficult not to conclude that Darnold outplayed Geno in 2024 - and likely will continue to as he grows into his prime and Smith likely begins to decline.

If it doesn't work out, then Seattle can get out from under Darnold's contract after just one season.

NFL Network on Sam Darnold - Seahawks

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