The Seattle Seahawks proved how good the team can be, even in a 21-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 11. Quarterback Sam Darnold kept giving LA the ball by way of interceptions, and Seattle's excellent defense mostly kept the Rams from scoring. Seattle even had a chance to win the game on a long field goal at the end.
A lot of people might rightfully blame Darnold for the loss. At least three of his interceptions were on him, while the fourth might have come from a poorly run route by rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo. Overall, Darnold leads the NFL in turnovers through Week 11 with 14 (10 interceptions and four fumbles).
Still, Darnold has also had a very good year despite Week 11 and despite all his turnovers. His quarterback rating is a career high 105.0, and he leads the league in yards per attempt (9.3) and net-yards per attempt (8.79). He isn't a bad quarterback, but he does need to be better in extremely important games.
Seattle Seahawks stand firmly behind quarterback Sam Darnold
One of the reasons that Darnold was signed this offseason and the team traded Geno Smith was because Darnold is more of a leader. He doesn't scream at his teammates the way Smith did with the Seahawks, and his teammates like him quite a bit. So much so that instead of throwing Darnold under the proverbial bus after Week 11, his teammates praised him.
Linebacker Ernest Jones dared anyone to throw shade at his quarterback, telling the media, "He's our quarterback. We've got his back. If you got anything to say, quite frankly, f*** you."
Right tackle Abraham Lucas backed up Jones's sentiment, telling reporters, "Listen, I will defend Sam as my teammate and my quarterback...He's a phenomenal quarterback, and it's impressive that he doesn't let mistakes get to him. I think people can take lessons from him. He's been balling, he's been lights out, and I'm excited to see what he can do moving forward."
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Head coach Mike Macdonald said, "Sam's like an ultimate competitor. So he's going to (be) pissed, that's what you love about him, but he's going to bow up and keep rocking back...That's who Sam is. He's done it since Day 1 with us. He's an ultimate competitor, and he's a great quarterback. He's our quarterback and we love him."
That so many players and the head coach are raving about Sam Darnold even after a mostly terrible performance against one of the Seattle Seahawks' greatest rivals speaks volumes. The quarterback has done great things this season, and he is clearly a leader in the locker room. The team believes in him.
One of the knocks on Darnold entering 2025 was that while he had a great arm, he folded when his previous teams needed him most. That narrative hasn't changed much this season, but there is still time to change it. The Seahawks have another game against the San Francisco 49ers and the Rams, and if Darnold does great in those games, he will change how people see him.