Darnold has had a few different stops in the NFL – he was drafted to the Jets in 2018, then was with the Panthers in 2021-22, was Brock Purdy's backup for the 49ers in 2023 and played for the Vikings last season. While he was with the 49ers, the now Seahawks offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak was serving as the passing game coordinator and worked with Darnold.
"Sam's extremely talented," Kubiak said. "Obviously a great thrower of the football. His mobility sticks out, his toughness, his maturity. The thing about Sam that really sticks out is just he's an A-plus teammate. Elevates those around him. The guys he plays with respect him because when your best players are your hardest workers, that's what you really strive for, and that's what you want as a coach, and Sam has that in spades."