ClutchPoints
The Seattle Seahawks have spent much of 2025 redefining themselves, from the sidelines to the starting lineup. Now entering year two under head coach Mike Macdonald, the team is coming off a respectable 10-7 campaign. But seismic roster changes and a bold pivot at quarterback have created a unique landscape of expectations, and uncertainty. No individual embodies that more than Sam Darnold, who, after a career resurgence in Minnesota, now stands as the single player under the most scrutiny in the Pacific Northwest.
Sam Darnold’s NFL odyssey has taken him coast-to-coast, with each stop providing both glimpses of hope and flashes of frustration. Drafted third overall in 2018 by the New York Jets, Darnold endured an unsteady tenure marked by organizational turmoil, injuries, and unfulfilled promise. His subsequent move to Carolina produced little change in narrative: flashes of arm talent but more questions than answers.
It wasn’t until last season, when thrust into the starting role with Minnesota, that Darnold delivered a defining campaign. With the Vikings, he posted 4,319 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a 102.5 passer rating while leading the team to a 14-3 record. The dramatic turnaround, combined with a market that still viewed him with skepticism, set the stage for a high-stakes reset in Seattle.
So, why is Darnold, with a fresh start and playoff credentials, under the hottest spotlight in Seattle?
First and foremost, the nature of his arrival demands instant success. The Seahawks, in a span of months, moved on from both Geno Smith and iconic wide receiver DK Metcalf, signaled a philosophical shift, and handed the offense to Darnold on a three-year, $100.5 million deal, yet structured the contract so that they can easily move on after 2025 if things go sideways. He is, for all practical purposes, on a one-year audition.
Internally, there’s added heat from a hungry rookie. Jalen Milroe, the dynamic third-round pick out of Alabama, is viewed as the quarterback of the future. General Manager John Schneider didn’t mince words this offseason, publicly pressing Darnold to earn his long-term role and reminding him of the crowded QB room, one that also includes Drew Lock.
Last year in Minnesota, Darnold thrived behind a solid offensive line and with elite weapons, including Justin Jefferson. Seattle presents a very different reality. The receiving corp has undergone wholesale changes: Tyler Lockett is gone, Metcalf is gone, and Cooper Kupp, though talented, has been beset by injuries. That leaves rising third-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and veteran Kupp as the top targets, a group with potential, but unsettled chemistry and questions about durability.
There’s a new QB and WR in Seattle @CooperKupp | @Seahawks pic.twitter.com/SJMPatO5q5
— NFL (@NFL) July 14, 2025
The offensive line, too, has a fresh face in rookie first-round guard Grey Zabel. While the unit is packed with promise, it will need to gel...
