The Seattle Seahawks need better quarterback play from Sam Darnold. He is capable of that, and proved that last season when leading the team to a Super Bowl victory. But so far in 2026, he appears apprehensive at times, and Seattle icon Richard Sherman knows it. Sherman got his critique of Darnold spot on in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Early in the game, after the quarterback had thrown yet another early interception (he did the same thing in Week 4), Sherman tweeted, "Sam Darnold just hasn't looked comfortable in the pocket. I think he will shake it off and find some production today, but it’s been apparent early today and at times against the Chargers."
Darnold did do slightly better after throwing the first interception, but he threw another later and completed just 18 of 29 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown in the Seahawks' loss. Some fans might be calling for the Seahawks to bench him and play Drew Lock, but that isn't going to happen (and shouldn't).
Richard Sherman speaks the truth about Seattle Seahawks' Sam Darnold seeming uncomfortable
Lock played well in the first two games of the season, leading the team to a 2-0 record before Darnold returned in Week 3. But Lock has been mostly a career backup for a reason, and that isn't meant as a slight. He struggles with consistency, but he might be good in a pinch.
For the Seahawks to make the playoffs and then be dangerous once there, it is Sam Darnold who needs to be much better and, as Sherman said, be more comfortable in the pocket, especially when facing pressure. Maybe the Week 1 glute injury for Darnold has him playing differently. He appears fully healthy, but he also seems more nervous and unsure.
Why that is is unclear, but that kind of play cannot continue. Darnold is signed through 2027, and Seattle might look at offering the quarterback a huge extension next offseason, but he has to begin to play a lot better than he has so far in 2026.
Through three games and one drive of Week 1, Darnold has thrown seven touchdown passes, which is good, but he also has five interceptions. He threw two interceptions in both Week 3 and Week 5. He's also been sacked nine times, but some of those are because he has held on to the ball a bit too long.
In the last two seasons, Darnold has turned his career around. After choosing to be a backup with the San Francisco 49ers, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 and was terrific for much of the season. He followed that by being even better for the Seattle Seahawks in 2025.
This season, though, hasn't been as good. He doesn't seem as comfortable in the pocket, even though the offensive line in front of him is mostly the same.
Perhaps Darnold not playing in the preseason and then getting hurt in Week 1, while still getting used to a new offensive system under new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury, has set him back. Seattle needs him to get back to being good again quickly. Otherwise, Seattle might go from winning a Super Bowl one season to missing the playoffs in the next.
Add us as a preferred source on Google