Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) stands on the field
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) stands on the field | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Seattle Seahawks rolled the dice on Sam Darnold after his strong season with the Minnesota Vikings. Back in 2025, they signed him to a three-year deal worth roughly $100 million, a move that prompted mixed reviews among NFL fans and pundits.
Despite some early woes, Darnold paid them back with a Super Bowl ring. That would've been enough for most teams to give him another contract, but John Schneider doesn't operate like most general managers.
That's why, now that he's midway through his three-year deal, has struggled to take care of the football, and the team is 3-0 whenever he's sat with an injury, the Seahawks might want to reconsider his future with the organization. Let's break it down.
Will the Seattle Seahawks be fully convinced to pay Sam Darnold?
The Seahawks' decision not to extend Darnold after the Super Bowl wasn't personal; it wasn't a test. That has been their M.O. during the John Schneider era; they don't give guys extensions before the final year of their contracts.
That clearly hasn't worked in Darnold's favor. He's missed two full games and most of another with injuries, and while he has tossed 10 touchdown passes, he also has nine interceptions, many of which have come with the game on the line.
Maybe it's not just a matter of execution but play-calling. Brian Fleury has left plenty to be desired, and Klint Kubiak excelled at hiding Darnold's flaws and putting him in a position to succeed behind a strong running game. But maybe the team doesn't need him as much as they thought.
The Seahawks are 3-0 in games with Drew Lock under center for the majority of snaps. That doesn't mean they should consider benching Darnold and starting Lock; that's just not realistic. That said, it goes to show that either Darnold and Fleury aren't on the same page or that the Seahawks can do better with someone else at quarterback.
This isn't intended to blame Darnold for the team's struggles. He's clearly not the only person responsible for the 5-4 record, and it would be unfair not to give him a ton of credit for the team's run to the Vince Lombardi Trophy. He was instrumental in the playoffs, and he took elite care of the football after his four-interception debacle vs. the Los Angeles Rams.
Then again, this team has most of its core guys locked in for years to come. They have an elite defense that should rank near the top of the game on a yearly basis, and you want to give them a chance to compete at the highest level for as long as you can.
That means the Seahawks wouldn't be doing their jobs if they didn't at least consider making a change at quarterback in the offseason. Someone will definitely take a chance on Darnold, and they can pivot toward an option with higher upside.
Maybe this is just an off year. Perhaps he hasn't been healthy, and he's certainly earned the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, this is a short-memory business for guys who are doing well, but it never forgets or forgives when they struggle. History isn't on his side, and with his backup doing just enough to win games, the Seahawks must at least have a conversation about him this offseason.