Analyst Uses Weird Analogy to Blast Seahawks’ Sam Darnold

The Seattle Seahawks have kickstarted a new era at quarterback, trading Geno Smith and then signing Sam Darnold to a three-year contract in NFL free agency.

Darnold is definitely a polarizing option under center, as he struggled over the course of his first six professional seasons before finally breaking out with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024.

Needless to say, Kevin Patra of NFL.com does not think much of the Seahawks’ decision to add Darnold and has offered a rather strange analogy to describe it.

“Even with the favorable contract and the projected fit in [Klint] Kubiak’s offense, I still don’t like Darnold in Seattle as the centerpiece of a transition,” Patra wrote. “Replacing Smith with Darnold is like substituting prosciutto with tavern ham.”

Uhh, okay then.

Darnold threw for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while completing 66.2 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 102.5 this past season. Of course, the question is whether the former No. 3 overall pick is actually that good or if he simply fed off the Vikings’ elite set of weapons.

Remember: Darnold was throwing to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in Minnesota, and inside of a dome, no less. He also had ancillary options like tight end T.J. Hockenson and No. 3 receiver Jalen Nailor, plus a terrific running back in Aaron Jones.

Seattle released Tyler Lockett and also dealt D.K. Metcalf, so outside of Jaxon Smith-Njigba, there really isn’t a whole lot there for Darnold right now.

Perhaps the Seahawks will be able to bring in more weapons for the USC product via the NFL Draft and allow him to function more as a prime rib or a lobster tail rather than whatever other food comparisons Patra has for the Pro Bowler.