In Renton, Washington, Sam Darnold was just about 14 minutes into his debut press conference at the Seattle Seahawks headquarters on a Thursday when the inevitable question popped up.
“So, Sam, what lessons did you take from the tough end to your standout season with the Minnesota Vikings?” a reporter asked.
Darnold braced himself, knowing this moment would arrive. Flanked by head coach Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, he responded lightheartedly, “I was waiting for that one!”
“No, it’s a fair point,” Darnold continued. “You make it to that stage, with the season we had as a team, offensively and overall. Ultimately, only one team wins the Super Bowl, and this time, it wasn’t us.”
Now, for context, Darnold and the Vikings looked set for a promising playoff journey before things unraveled late in the season. Everything started to slip during Week 18, where he only managed 18 of 41 completions in a disheartening 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions. The following week didn’t fare any better, with Darnold getting sacked nine times in a 27-9 wild card defeat against the Los Angeles Rams.
Through the first 16 games, Darnold had thrown an impressive 35 touchdown passes. However, in those crucial last two games, he managed just one.
Reflecting on it, Darnold shared, “Getting the ball out quicker in those last games and knowing where my outlets are became clear lessons. Even if a pass seems covered, it’s better to throw it at a player’s feet than take unnecessary sacks. I’ve learned to hold onto the ball better in the pocket, focusing on basic fundamentals. Timing is everything when you get into tight games like those.”
Darnold is eager to bring that wisdom to his new role in Seattle, now under Kubiak’s guidance. He mentioned that the appeal of reconnecting with a familiar face like Kubiak, who’s now Seattle’s offensive coordinator, largely influenced his decision. He penned a three-year contract promising him $55 million. Interestingly, Darnold previously worked alongside Kubiak with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, where he was Brock Purdy’s backup.
“We’ve got a real talent in Sam,” Kubiak said. “He’s an exceptional thrower, incredibly mobile, and tough as nails. But beyond skills, Sam is an A-plus teammate. He elevates everyone around him. That’s a key aspect you want in your leader.”
The Vikings had hoped to bring Darnold back, but they didn’t place a franchise tag on him. With their 10th overall pick from last year, J.J. McCarthy, recovering from a rookie-season-ending knee injury, the situation changed. When asked about staying in Minnesota or testing free agency, Darnold remarked, “We were honestly considering everything, but fortunately, the path led me to Seattle.”
This move became more apparent when news hit last Friday about the Seahawks trading Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a third-round pick. Seahawks’ general manager John Schneider revealed that while an extension was offered to Smith, negotiations didn’t pan out, shifting their focus toward a trade.
Coach Macdonald reflected on the transition, “It definitely unfolded in an interesting way. Once it seemed we’d need to move on from Geno, I was hoping Sam would be our guy. It was a collaborative effort, but we zeroed in on Sam.”
Macdonald had closely observed Darnold’s prowess last season, when a pivotal 39-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson secured a 27-24 victory for the Vikings against Seattle—one of five game-winning drives Darnold orchestrated in 2024.
During the press conference, Darnold humorously recalled that moment, quipping, “Oh, I’m excited to revisit this moment! How much time do we have?”
He reminisced about his previous triumphs at the Seahawks’ stadium, such as a 30-24 victory with the Carolina Panthers in 2022, and a win with the 49ers while backing up Purdy the following year.
Back in the NFC West, Darnold anticipates regular encounters with the team that once sacked him nine times and ended a promising chapter with the Vikings. Smiling, he stated, “We’ll meet L.A. twice a year now. I’m really looking forward to embracing those challenges.”
