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Sam Darnold’s Overlooked Feat in 2025 Bodes Well for Seahawks’ Future

The starting quarterback for the Super Bowl LX champion Seahawks relied on a full team effort, epitomizing his successful season.
Russell Baxter|
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates with the Vince Lombardi trophy on the podium after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates with the Vince Lombardi trophy on the podium after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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Seattle Seahawks

Last March, Seattle Seahawks’ general manager John Schneider signed free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.3 million contract. It was the fifth NFL stop for the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. The 2025 season for Mike Macdonald’s team got off to a rough start with a 17-13 home loss to the rival 49ers. With a chance to take a late lead in the game, Darnold fumbled away the opportunity.

An Overall Successful First Season

Four weeks later against the Buccaneers, the Seahawks’ signal-caller threw a fourth-quarter interception that set up Tampa Bay’s game-winning field goal. Seattle’s 38-35 loss dropped the team’s record to 3-2. In a Week 11 loss at SoFi Stadium, Darnold threw four interceptions in a frustrating 21-19 loss to Sean McVay’s team.

Darnold at Rams
Nov 16, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium. | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

RELATED: Buy the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX Championship Cover

Yes, 16 games into this season, the eight-year hurler had completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 3,850 yards. He also had nearly as many turnovers (20) as touchdown passes (25). Then came the turnaround, starting with the club’s 13-3 Saturday night win in Week 18 at San Francisco which gave the ‘Hawks their first NFC West title since 2020.

Darnold played efficiently during Seattle's three-game postseason

Take that game and Seattle’s three-game postseason and Darnold has hit on 76-of-117 passes for 870 yards and five touchdowns. There’s been zero interceptions, and no lost fumbles. Darnold has been sacked a combined eight times and put the ball on the ground twice, but no turnovers. The quarterback with ball security issues had suddenly learned how to take care of the pigskin.

Darnold's Super Bowl Performance Was Title Worthy

Somewhat lost in Sunday’s 29-13 conquest of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX was another example of how Darnold shook off a rough start and wound up playing solid football. In the first half, he was very much off the mark. He connected on only nine of his 22 attempts for only 88 yards. There was only play of 10-plus yards.

Darnold came out hot after intermission. There was a 16-yard connection with Rashid Rasheed, followed by a 16-yard strike to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Darnold ran for 11 yards and two plays later, found running back Kenneth Walker III for what turned into a 20-yard play. The drive would result in a fourth field goal by Jason Myers and a 12-0 lead.

sam darnold
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) passes against New England Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss (53) and linebacker Robert Spillane (14) during the third quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
  • RELATED: Buy the Seahawks SI Super Bowl LX Commemorative Print Issue

    • As for Darnold’s second-half performance, he hit on 10-of-16 throws. He finished with 114 yards through the air and one score—a 16-yard toss to tight end AJ Barner early in the fourth quarter. It was the lone offensive TD scored by Macdonald’s team, but more than enough against the stifled Patriots.

    Darnold will have a new offensive coordinator in 2026 with Klint Kubiak taking over as the Raiders’ head coach. The eight-year pro may also have a new-found confidence after performing so efficiently in the club’s final four games, and that bodes well for nearly-crowned Super Bowl champions.

    sam darnold super bowl
    Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates with the Vince Lombardi trophy on the podium after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

    ---Seattle Seahawks fans can now own this piece of Super Bowl History.The commemorative cover, available HERE, can be purchased in a number of formats. Each version offers flexibility for displaying the magazine cover---

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    Russell Baxter
    RUSSELL BAXTER

    Russell S. Baxter has been writing and researching the game of football for more than 40 years, and on numerous platforms. That includes television, as he spent more than two decades at ESPN, and was part of shows that garnered five Emmy Awards. He also spent the 2015 NFL season with Thursday Night Football on CBS/NFLN.