The Seattle Seahawks were expected to take a big swing at the quarterback position after trading Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, and they did just that by wooing the best gunslinger on the market in Sam Darnold. The former Minnesota Vikings quarterback will be the man in Seattle for the foreseeable future.
The Seahawks signed Darnold to a three-year contract worth in excess of $100 million after Darnold threw 35 touchdowns in a resurgent career season with Minnesota. Even after trading Smith, Seattle could be a team that makes some noise in the NFC.
This move is expected to have some major ripple effects throughout the Seattle offense. Certain players stand to benefit immensely from Darnold filling the vacancy left by the Smith trade, while a handful of Seahawks could end up worse for the wear as a result of this decision.
3 Seahawks players who will be impacted by Sam Darnold signing
3. QB Sam Howell
Whatever fading shot Howell had at becoming the next starting quarterback in Seattle has officially been buried with the Darnold acquisition. Howell, who threw for almost 4,000 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2023 with the Washington Commanders (despite his 21 interceptions), didn't set the world on fire in limited action with Seattle.
The Darnold move confirmed that Seattle has no interest in trying to turn Howell into a starter. For the rest of his NFL career, until proven otherwise, Howell will be tagged as a high-variance backup quarterback who can make some big throws alongside back-breaking interceptions.
2. TE Noah Fant
Darnold loves throwing to a reliable tight end over the middle, and new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has had some success with receiving tight ends in the past. Fant hasn't had the statistical production many Seahawks fans have hoped, but Darnold could be the key that unlocks him.
Fant, who could still be offloaded in the name of financial security, hasn't topped 500 yards receiving since being traded from Denver to Seattle in the Russell Wilson swap. That could change if he stays and forms a strong connection with Darnold.
1. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
The Seahawks will obviously bring in some more wide receivers. However, as it stands right now, Jake Bobo is their No. 2 wideout. If they don't make a major upgrade to their offense in the near future following the DK Metcalf trade, Smith-Njigba may end up as one of the most targeted receivers in the entire league.
With his best years firmly in the windshield and not the rear-view mirror, Smith-Njigba will spend the next few years as the centerpiece of a passing game that will try to duplicate the results Darnold put up in Minnesota. If they succeed, Darnold's contract will immediately become one of the more efficient contracts in the league.