An NFL player does not get much chance to adjust to a new team or situation. This makes sense as veterans moving to a new team will likely be paid a lot of money and fill a needed role. Such is the case with Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks.
He takes over for Geno Smith, who has started for Seattle over the last three seasons. Smith was a divisive player. He led the NFL is different categories at times over his three years (completion percentage in 2022, game-winning drives and fourth quarter comebacks in 2023), but in 2024, at least, he made far too many red-zone errors that crippled the offense.
Last season was arguably Darnold's only good season out of his seven years in the NFL. He was fantastic with the Minnesota Vikings until the year's final two games. He did not lead the league in anything, but played winning football with 35 touchdown passes to 12 interceptions. If he replicates those numbers with the Seahawks, Seattle will win many games in 2025 and beyond.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is already on the hot seat
For the first time in his career, the quarterback has to prove his value while being paid a lot. He signed a three-year deal with Seattle that will pay him a maximum of $100.5 million. With that much money comes a lot of pressure.
Fox Sports' Eric Williams doubles down on that by naming Darnold as one of the 10 players or coaches in 2025 who are on the hot seat most. The quarterback has yet to play a down with the Seahawks, but is already under duress, it seems.
Williams writes, "(Darnold) had his best season as a pro last year...But things did not end well in the postseason, and Darnold now finds himself with a new team, signing a three-year, $100.5 million contract with Seattle. The Seahawks don't have the quality of playmakers that Darnold had in Minnesota...Can Darnold and (Klint) Kubiak replicate the success the QB had with Kevin O'Connell and the Vikings for a team that believes it can compete for the top spot in the NFC West?"
If Darnold had signed with Seattle for much less and was going to battle for the starting quarterback spot, then there would have been a lot less pressure on him, of course. Prior to 2024, his career win-loss record was 21-35. He had thrown 63 touchdown passes but 56 interceptions.
Seahawks general manager John Schneider is putting a lot of faith in Darnold's 2024 season, which is what the quarterback will need to come close to for the next few years.
Of course, if Darnold does regress to pre-2024 levels, the Seahawks could release him after next season. He has no guaranteed money on his contract after 2025. That would mean the team would have to start over at the most critical position in football. Seattle might save some money by moving on from Darnold, but the future would look less bright than if he does well.