NFL executive has surprising pick for best move of Seahawks' offseason

The Seattle Seahawks hired Klint Kubiak as their offensive coordinator last winter before the club signed quarterback Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.5M contract. 

Kubiak was Darnold's passing game coordinator when the two were with the San Francisco 49ers during the 2023 season. For a piece published on Tuesday, Jeff Howe of The Athletic spoke with individuals around the NFL about how Kubiak and Darnold helped Seattle end Week 15 with a record of 11-3.

NFL executive picks winner in Klint Kubiak-Sam Darnold debate

"The hiring of Kubiak is the best thing Seattle did this offseason," one unnamed NFL executive told Howe. 

Under Kubiak. Darnold completed a career-best 67.4 percent of his passes over the first 14 games of the season. According to Pro Football Reference, Darnold heads into Week 16 ranked fifth in the NFL among qualified players with a 102.0 passer rating, ninth with a 62.5 adjusted QBR, sixth with 3,433 passing yards and tied for 10th with 22 passing touchdowns. 

That said, it hasn't been all smooth sailing for Darnold since Week 1. According to StatMuse, he and Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa began Tuesday sharing the league lead for the most turnovers committed on the season (16). In Seattle's 21-19 Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Darnold threw a campaign-worst four interceptions. 

The Seahawks will host the 11-3 Rams with first place in the NFC West on the line on Dec. 18. As of Tuesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had Seattle as a 1.5-point home underdog for that game. 

How has Sam Darnold changed while working with Klint Kubiak? 

"He is an efficient master of that offense now," a team executive added about what Darnold has become while working with Kubiak this year. 

Darnold was responsible for two nightmare outings in the biggest games of his Minnesota Vikings tenure last season, and his performance against the Rams in November of this year understandably caused some to wonder if he will always see "ghosts" during what could be considered must-win games. 

Kubiak will likely receive interview requests for head-coaching opportunities come January, but he first will need to do whatever he can to keep Darnold cool and calm in his latest matchup versus the Rams.