Seattle Seahawks
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Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold throws a pass.
The Seattle Seahawks landed one of the top free agents in Sam Darnold, the quarterback coming off a career-best season with the Minnesota Vikings.
But the Seahawks faced questions on exactly which Darnold they would be seeing — the one who led the Vikings to a 14-win season, or the journeyman who struggled to hold down a starting job before that. The team’s season opener did little to answer that question — and may have only raised more concerns about Darnold’s place on the team.
Sam Darnold Could Be ‘One-Hit Wonder’
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon identified the biggest problems for all 32 NFL teams, noting that the Seahawks could have an issue with Darnold at the helm. Gagnon wrote that the odds aren’t in Darnold’s favor to hold down the starting job and lead the Seahawks back to the playoffs.
“This doesn’t change from last week after Darnold and the Seahawks offense struggled mightily in a season-opening loss to the 49ers,” Gagnon wrote. “Seattle converted three third-down attempts all day and had only 14 first downs in the game. Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba both fumbled in the second half of a close game, and they got almost nothing going on the ground.”
Gagnon added that the Seahawks have another challenge leading into their Week 2 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have a resurgent quarterback in Aaron Rodgers and a 1-0 record after taking down the New York Jets in Week 1.
“Now they’re behind the eight ball heading into Pittsburgh, as the odds increase that Darnold was a one-hit wonder in Minnesota. Klint Kubiak has his hands full,” Gagnon wrote.
Sam Darnold Shoulders Blame for Loss
One of Darnold’s biggest issues with the Vikings was his struggles under pressure, which manifested in the season finale loss to the Detroit Lions and again in the wild-card round of the playoffs, where he was sacked nine times by the Los Angeles Rams.
Darnold said that wasn’t an issue in the Week 1 loss to the 49ers, blaming himself for holding onto the ball too long.
“I thought the protection was awesome all day,” Darnold said Thursday. “Obviously, that last play I feel like I could have got the ball out a little bit quicker, to be honest with you.”
There had been speculation going into the season that the Seahawks could have Darnold on a short leash despite making a $100 million commitment in the offseason. The team also drafted promising quaterback Jalen Milroe, who is expected to see limited playing time in specialty packages that highlight his running and passing abilities.
The Seahawks also have a trusted backup in Drew Lock, who would likely get the nod if Darnold should continue to struggle later into the season.
Seahawks offensive coordinator Klink Kubiak didn’t ready to turn the page on Darnold, however, sharing praise for the veteran despite only reaching 150 passing yards.
“I was impressed with Sam,” Kubiak said. “I thought he did, with the opportunities that we gave him, a great job. Sam’s going to keep getting better as we go along.”