Sam Darnold's stat line will look like he threw an interception against the Chicago Bears in Week 8. The play was fairly indicative of the entire game for the Seattle Seahawks.
Darnold dropped back to pass late in the game, his team too far down to ever really catch up, and his pass was batted at the line and ended up in the arms of defensive lineman James Lynch. It was more bad luck in a game being played against a team that was making all their own good luck.
Chicago deserved to win. They wanted the game more, it seemed, wanting to prove themselves and a to a national audience they could play bully ball against the defending Super Bowl champions. It worked, and Darnold was one of the players who suffered most.
Takeaways from Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold's Week 8
Darnold's offensive coordinator gave him no help
The Bears usually blitz quite a bit because their defensive line hasn't been good enough to wreak havoc. That changed the moment they traded for Jeffery Simmons. That was evident early in the game, and yet offensive coordinator Brian Fleury fed Darnold to the wolves by eschewing the run for most of three quarters and forcing Darnold to drop back under constant pressure.
Before late in the third quarter, the pass-run ratio was 2-1, and Fleury never gave the run a chance to work. Even if it didn't (and later in the game, it was fine), at least it would give poor Darnold a chance to not be hit time and again.
The quarterback was still inaccruate at times
One cannot be too hard on Darnold for what unfolded, but he still missed some throws he probably wishes he could have back. After avoiding pressure on one play, he tried to hit Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a seam pass, and there was a window to get the ball in, but the pass sailed high. It was the kind of play that could have temporarily changed the narrative of the game.
Later, needing a first down, Darnold missed tight end AJ Barner at the sticks. Barner should have been a yard further down the field, and maybe Darnold was anticipating that, but the pass still needed to be to Barner's chest instead of too far to his left.
The team needs to give Darnold some help at receiver
It is difficult to get Darnold comfortable and in rhythm when the only receiver who can consistently get open is Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Forget Rashid Shaheed being injured, as he hasn't been effective this season as a receiver either.
Maybe a move to acquire the Indianapolis Colts' slot receiver Josh Downs would help, but Seattle likely needs to spend a high-round draft pick on a wideout in 2027.
Sam Darnold is the best the Seahawks can do (for now)
Darnold is signed through 2027, and while he has struggled greatly at times this season, the team doesn't have a replacement on the roster. That long-term replacement is also unlikely to come in the 2027 NFL Draft, either.
The quarterback needs to play better, and in Week 8's 34-17 loss to the Bears, Darnold was 17 of 34 passing for 188 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, but he needs his offensive coordinator to be better, too.
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