Sam Darnold expands on signing with Seahawks in free agency

Sam Darnold went 14-3 as the starter for the 2024 Minnesota Vikings en route to becoming the top quarterback available in this year's free-agency class. 

During a recent chat with Scott Thompson of Fox News Digital, Darnold touched upon his decision to join the Seahawks after they agreed to trade Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders.

"When I just found out about the mutual interest that both sides had in getting a deal done, that was something that was really important for me," Darnold said. "Having somebody that also wanted me there, and to be able to have an impact as best I can."

Per Pro Football Reference stats, Darnold ended the 2024 regular season ranked fifth in the NFL with 35 passing touchdowns, fifth with 4,319 yards through the air and sixth among qualified players with a 102.5 passer rating. However, the fact that he played poorly across his final two outings — Minnesota's biggest games of the campaign — likely cost him millions of dollars. 

In the end, he received a three-year, $100.5M contract from the Seahawks that Seattle could escape as soon as next offseason. 

Before Darnold became a revelation while playing under Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, the 27-year-old spent the majority of the 2023 season as a backup with the San Francisco 49ers. Current Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak was Darnold's passing game coordinator in San Francisco. 

"There’s great players on defense, great players on offense," Darnold added about signing with Seattle. "I feel like [Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald's] scheme on defense was really hard to go against last year, and I know coach Klint Kubiak. I know him from 2023 in San Francisco, when we made that run there, so I’m pretty familiar with the system. ...You hear about the good spots, the bad spots, the spots in between. Seattle was always a place that guys love going to. They love the energy, they love the environment, and it really did exceed all my expectations. I’m so happy to be here."

That's all well and good, but the Seahawks raised some eyebrows when they selected Alabama quarterback and developmental prospect Jalen Milroe in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Milroe likely shouldn't start against a live defense in a meaningful game as a QB1 anytime soon, but he could give the Seattle coaching staff something to think about in 2026 if Darnold fails to live up to expectations this coming season.