Seahawks Roll the Dice on Sam Darnold: A Calculated Gamble or Misdirection?
The Seahawks have made their move, signaling a shift in their offensive future. In a decision that caught many by surprise, Seattle has secured quarterback Sam Darnold on a three-year deal worth between $100.5 and $110.5 million. A bold, controversial move? Absolutely. But there’s a case to be made that this acquisition might just work out. Here are three key reasons why Darnold could be a solid fit in Seattle.
1. Youth and Upside
At 27, Darnold is entering his prime, a stark contrast to Geno Smith, who turns 35 in October. If Darnold delivers, the Seahawks could buy themselves six more years of stability at the most critical position in football.
Much like Geno, Darnold has fought his way back from obscurity. After early-career struggles, he put together an impressive 2024 season, throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Before that, his best season was in 2019 with the Jets, where he posted 3,024 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 13 picks. The key difference? Darnold’s resurgence is happening at 27, while Geno’s came at 31. That means Seattle could be betting on an extended peak rather than a late-career resurgence.
2. Scheme Familiarity
Darnold won’t be walking into a completely foreign system. He spent 2023 backing up Brock Purdy in San Francisco, working within a version of the same West Coast offense the Seahawks will be running under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
“I just learned so much in San Francisco, not only from the coaches, but from the players,” Darnold told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. “The way Brock prepared every single week was inspiring to me. We didn’t leave one stone unturned throughout the week.”
While he only started one game for the 49ers, Darnold spent the year absorbing one of the league’s most efficient offenses, watching Purdy execute a system designed to maximize quarterback efficiency. That experience could pay off in Seattle, where Kubiak will likely install a similar scheme tailored to quick reads, timing throws, and maximizing yards after the catch.
3. Arm Talent and Deep Ball Ability
Darnold’s biggest asset? His arm. He’s always had the raw talent to make all the throws, but accuracy and decision-making were question marks early in his career. Now, with more experience, his ball placement and timing have improved significantly.
Dating back to his 2018 pre-draft evaluation, scouts raved about his arm strength and natural ability to create plays inside and outside the pocket:
“Darnold has NFL size, arm strength, accuracy, pocket mobility, poise, and field-reading capability… His floor is a solid starter, but his ceiling is a top-tier quarterback.” (NFL.com)
“He’s got a little Brett Favre in him, which I think John [Schneider] likes. He’ll make some mistakes, but at the end of the day, he has that swagger.” (Mike Mayock, NFL Network)
“There isn’t a throw he fears. Naturally accurate with tight spirals. Has arm talent to uncork it quickly.” (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com)
His former tight end, T.J. Hockenson, put it simply: “It’s fun to watch him let it rip. He just flicks it, and the ball soars.”
The Verdict
Seattle is taking a calculated risk. The upside? A younger quarterback with experience in a system he’s already familiar with, plus the arm talent to stretch the field. The question is whether Darnold has finally turned the corner in his career or if his 2024 season was a one-year anomaly.
One thing is certain—this move has put all eyes on the Seahawks’ quarterback room. And as the 2025 season unfolds, the intrigue will only grow.
Comments