Through nine games, Sam Darnold’s first season with the Seattle Seahawks had been a rousing success.
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Darnold was leading the NFL in yards per pass attempt. He was No. 1 in ESPN’s QBR metric. He was third in completion rate. He’d made a slew of big-time throws, showing a masterful level of precision, accuracy and timing.
But in Sunday’s NFC West showdown, all the questions and concerns over Darnold’s big-game aptitude came roaring back after he threw four costly interceptions in the Seahawks’ 21-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
During Monday’s edition of Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy, Seahawks Radio Network analyst and former NFL wide receiver Michael Bumpus reacted to Darnold’s performance.
“Some of those interceptions, you’re like, what are you doing, Sam?” Bumpus said. “Like, you’re too good of a player to make these decisions. So unfortunately, the doubters have reason to continue to doubt this man.
“Me personally, I think that he’ll be able to bounce back. I think that with the support of this defense, with the talent that he has around him, I think that he could be OK. … But he’s got to wear this one.”
Darnold’s performance Sunday was reminiscent of his disappointing finish to last year’s breakout campaign with the Minnesota Vikings. After playing like an MVP candidate for most of last season, Darnold struggled mightily in a pivotal Week 18 loss to the Detroit Lions and a wild-card playoff loss to the Rams.
“Unfortunately, Sam Darnold reaffirmed a lot of the doubts that people have in him,” Bumpus said. “… He’s had three opportunities to step up and be the guy – two games last year with the Vikings and one game this year with the Seahawks. And in all three games, he has not stepped up and been that guy.”
However, Bumpus still believes Darnold can come through and shine when the lights are brightest.
Darnold should have more big-game opportunities down the stretch this season, including a Week 16 rematch against the Rams in Seattle.
“I think Sam Darnold can still do it,” Bumpus said. “But I also think that he still has to prove to himself, most importantly, that he’s capable of doing it. I think he is. I’ve watched too much film. I’ve seen too many throws to not believe in his ability.
“But there’s something that happens in these big games. … You’ve gotta be able to be in those moments and play your best. And Sam has to prove that to himself.”
Listen to the full Bump and Stacy conversation at this link or in the audio player near the middle of this story. Tune into Bump and Stacy weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
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