After a weekend of speculation following the Seahawks’ shocking trade of Geno Smith on Friday, Seattle has found its next quarterback.
Sam Darnold, reportedly agreed Monday to a three-year, $110.5 million deal with the Seahawks.
Darnold, the No. 3 overall draft pick by the Jets in 2018, has had an up-and-down NFL career, including stops with the Jets, Panthers, 49ers, Vikings and now Seahawks. But he’s coming off his most productive season.
The 27-year-old led the Vikings to a 14-3 record last season, throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2024. The QB did scuffle in his final two games, including a 27-9 loss to the Rams in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
So what do people think of the move? Here’s a sampling of what local and national media members had to say immediately after the news dropped.
Sam checks the boxes:
1-System fit & familiarity
2-Gritty & Tough
3-27 years old
4-West Coast dude
Schneider’s been pretty good thru the years picking his QB’s
Now, go address the IOL pic.twitter.com/CuDaKWgnlY
— Brock Huard (@BrockHuard) March 10, 2025
That seems like a lot of money and yet it's less than what they would have needed to pay Geno Smith. https://t.co/iEF8kgcUVP
— Tim Booth (@ByTimBooth) March 10, 2025
The Seahawks have agreed to terms with Vikings QB Sam Darnold on a three-year, $100 million deal, per sources. The model for the deal was Baker Mayfield's contract in Tampa—and it gets done in Seattle.
So they get a 3 for Geno Smith, and replace him with Darnold.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 10, 2025
Sam Darnold resurrected his career in 2024 with the Vikings, ranking 14th in QBR under Kevin O'Connell's guidance. Over his first six seasons, he was 39th. The Seahawks are making a big bet — call it a $55M bet — on OC Klint Kubiak's ability to do what O'Connell did last year.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) March 10, 2025
Sam Darnold in 2024:
🔵 7th most valuable QB, per PFF WAR
🟢 80.7 PFF Grade (career high)
🔵 35 completions on 20+ yard throws (1st)
🟢 16 Big Time Throws vs the blitz (1st) https://t.co/F3p2pOxFeP pic.twitter.com/dANtzAatFv
— PFF SEA Seahawks (@PFF_Seahawks) March 10, 2025
The #Seahawks should be applauded. They’ve just signed a cheaper, younger quarterback in Sam Darnold, retained flexibility for the future, added a third round pick and brought in the best QB available in free agency on a reasonable deal. Good job.
— Rob Staton (@robstaton) March 10, 2025
Per @minakimes and @NextGenStats , Geno Smith dealt with the most quick pressures (under 2.5 seconds) of any starter in the last 3 seasons.
Darnold struggles vs. Pressure
SEA better shore up that OL quick https://t.co/LT6hCy1SqF
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) March 10, 2025
Now comes the actual important part of building a real supporting cast around him. They have to. He can't mask the obvious deficiencies the offense has the way Geno did. https://t.co/HVHABfvbef
— Ty Dane Gonzalez (@TyDaneGonzalez) March 10, 2025
Sam Darnold is…
6 months younger than Joe Burrow
5 months younger than Lamar Jackson
A year younger than Josh Allen
— Paul Hembekides (Hembo) (@PaulHembo) March 10, 2025
Sam Darnold has found a new home 🏠 @Seahawks pic.twitter.com/2BTs5SLDqT
— NFL (@NFL) March 10, 2025
The Seahawks signing Sam Darnold to a deal that is basically a salary-cap adjusted version of the contract Geno Smith signed in 2023. https://t.co/L6WxdrQ0xH
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) March 10, 2025
March 10th, 2024: Baker Mayfield signs with the Buccaneers for 3 years, $100 million with $50M guaranteed
March 10th, 2025: Sam Darnold signs with the Seahawks for 3 years, $110.5 million with $55M guaranteed
They just scaled up the Baker deal to account for cap inflation lol
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) March 10, 2025
Value-wise, this is a steal for the Seahawks https://t.co/ALRh99Z7Wq
— Mike Lefko (@MikeLefko) March 10, 2025
Geno Smith turned down a similar deal in Seattle. The #Seahawks ended up trading him to Las Vegas, picked up a third-round draft pick and now land the top QB in free agency. A new No. 14 in Seattle. https://t.co/P13S9PLwTc
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 10, 2025
Seattle Times sports staff.