It takes one to know one, maybe. New Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has bounced around the league in seven seasons. Seattle is his fifth team, and he has only been productive during one year since 2018. Seattle and Darnold need to hope for good things in 2025.
But Darnold is undoubtedly not one specific thing, and that thing is egotistical. Maybe this comes from learning how difficult the NFL can be. No matter how great they are, hardly any player does not get humbled at some point. One of the keys for a rookie is to play confidently, as if they have experienced everything.
One reason Shedeur Sanders seems to have fallen to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft draft, even though many pundits had projected him to go in the first round, is that he did not appear willing to be humble and adjust easily to what was happening in his interviews.
Shedeur Sanders should heed the sage advice of Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold
When he spoke with the Giants, New York had Sanders go through a simulated playbook like most prospects they communicate with. The playbook contained intentional errors, and Sanders answered poorly overall. The 2025 draftee was upset the Giants would do that to him.
There are a couple of things to note here. One is that Shedeur should have been prepared and seemed to better understand what NFL teams would ask of him in interviews, as his father, Deion, was a long-time great cornerback in the league and has been a college coach for some time.
Two is that getting upset about what he was asked during an interview, when he will be tasked with making quick and high-IQ decisions during games, makes him look spoiled and ill-prepared. Teams will pass on prospects like this, especially ones whose athleticism is capped compared to other players at the same position.
Sam Darnold was a first-round choice in 2018. He failed for years before 2024 when he became an efficient and quality starter for the Minnesota Vikings. He is not guaranteed to do the same for the Seahawks, but he is self-aware enough to handle himself around his teammates and the organization.
During a recent interview, Darnold was asked what advice he would give Sanders, and he said, "Biggest thing is having respect. Having respect for the teammates you are competing with...Having respect for everyone in the (quarterback) room...(and) helping everyone get better."
The problem is that Shedeur Sanders seems to have the understanding that he needs to look after himself first. He is going to compete with many other quarterbacks for a roster spot on the Cleveland Browns, and a lack of humbleness might cost him a spot. Thankfully, the Seahawks don't have to worry about that same situation in their quarterback room.