Two seasons ago, one person seemingly still believed in Seattle Seahawks QB1 Sam Darnold as a quarterback, and that was himself. He was a backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, and in no position to be a QB1, possibly ever again, with any team. Times have changed.
If not for an injury to JJ McCarthy with the Minnesota Vikings, Darnold might still be toiling as a backup. Instead, McCarthy's literal pain was Darnold's gain as he was named QB1 of the Minnesota Vikings. While he might have simply been a place-holder for McCarthy, he was a great one.
In 2024, Darnold tossed 35 touchdown passes, had a career-high quarterback rating of 102.5, was named to the Pro Bowl, and got a few MVP votes. Still, Minnesota was totally bought into what Sam Darnold was doing. The team let him walk in free agency.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is already outplaying his new contract
That turned out to be great for the Seattle Seahawks. The quarterback isn't just mirroring what he did last season; he's better. Through six games, his quarterback rating is a ridiculous 116.0, and he's thrown 11 touchdown passes and just three interceptions. He's a great fit in offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's system.
NFL analysts are noticing, too. Bleacher Report's excellent staff has. In reviewing Darnold's performance in Week 6 against the Jacksonville Jaguars (the quarterback was 16 of 27 passing for 295 yards and two touchdowns), B/R wrote correctly and succinctly about Darnold, "Apparently, Darnold's career resurgence in Minnesota last year was no fluke."
Now, the Seattle Seahawks have to hope that continues. The quarterback was signed to a three-year deal worth a maximum of $100.5 million. The contract has no guaranteed money in years two and three, so the quarterback could be let go after year one, and the team would save money.
That isn't going to happen, of course. Sam Darnold is playing too well. He is also just 28 years old. Instead of three years in Seattle, the quarterback could be the team's starter for the next five to eight seasons.
Is Darnold still a risk? Of course, but only because until 2024, he wasn't very productive or efficient. He started his career with a bad Carolina Panthers team, and he has found his way. The Seattle Seahawks' starting quarterback is very good. Period.