Sam Darnold
Getty
Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio included Seattle Seahawks' Sam Darnold on his list of quarterbacks on the hot seat in 2025.
Former first-round quarterback Sam Darnold finally lived up to his potential last season. As a result, he landed a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks.
But quite a few NFL pundits have still argued Darnold faces a lot of pressure to perform during 2025 or he could lose his job. Count Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio among those pundits.
On Saturday, Florio included Darnold on his list of quarterbacks on the hot seat entering the 2025 campaign.
“He has a one-year deal, as a practical matter,” Florio wrote. “And the Seahawks seem to really like rookie Jalen Milroe. Darnold will need to play very well to secure his status for 2026.”
While Darnold’s contract is for three years, it was structured for the Seahawks to have a relatively easy way to get out of the deal after 2025. The quarterback can earn incentives over the next three years, but the contract doesn’t guarantee Darnold any money beyond 2025.
So, the quarterback will likely have to earn his keep for the duration of the contract.
How Seahawks Could Move on From Sam Darnold After One Season
ESPN’s Brady Henderson wrote in April there were conflicting reports early during the free agency period about Darnold’s contract. But when the full details of the deal surfaced, the Seahawks had a favorable agreement in place with the quarterback.
If Seattle releases Darnold after 2025, the team will have a $25.6 million dead cap hit. That’s significant, but it would have been higher if the quarterback received guaranteed money for 2026 in the deal.
The dead cap hit for Darnold drops to $19.2 million if he’s released after 2026.
“The actual number is $25.6 million, still hefty but not an unreasonable sum if Darnold’s debut season in Seattle were to go badly awry,” Henderson wrote. “In that event, Seattle could cut him at the start of next offseason — as long as he’s not injured — and get out of the deal after one year and $37.5 million.
“This means that what was true with Geno Smith after he signed his Seahawks contract in 2023 is also true with Darnold now: If he wants to see the second year of that deal, he’ll have to earn it.”
Because of his contract structure, pundits have already begun speculating that Darnold could lose his job as early as during the 2025 season.
Based on his overall career trajectory, such an event wouldn’t be surprising. Darnold failed to develop into a franchise quarterback with the New York Jets, who drafted him No. 3 overall in 2018. On his second team, Darnold went 8-9 as a starter for the Carolina Panthers.
Then in 2023, he served as a backup for the San Francisco 49ers.
But in 2024, Darnold seized an opportunity with the Minnesota Vikings, going 14-3 with a 102.5 passer rating. He had 4,319 passing yards with 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 starts.
Seahawks Add Pressure for Darnold With Jalen Milroe Selection
As Florio explained, Darnold’s contract isn’t the only reason he’s on the hot seat.
In addition to Darnold, the Seahawks added Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe this offseason. Seattle selected Milroe at No. 92 overall in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Florio didn’t suggest Milroe could replace Darnold this season. But other pundits have.
“If the team is sitting around .500 with no chance at making the playoffs near the end of the season, Milroe could get some starts and establish himself as the Seahawks’ QB of the future,” wrote Rotoballer’s Aidin Ebrahimi.
The Seahawks also have veteran Drew Lock on their quarterback depth chart. A former second-round pick, Lock is unlikely to be a long-term solution for Seattle. But Lock is another option if Darnold really struggles, and Milroe isn’t quite ready yet.