Seahawks GM Makes Clear Admission on Sam Darnold's Future

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sami Haider | Last updated Feb 27, 2026 10:07 AM ET

Sam Darnold’s career reached a new peak when he helped the Seattle Seahawks to a convincing Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots.

In his first season with the team, Darnold threw for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns with 14 interceptions, ending the regular season with a 14-3 record. He is the second quarterback in NFL history to lead teams to back-to-back 14-win seasons, following Tom Brady in 2003 and 2004.

However, his season was not spectacular early on. In Week 1, Darnold fumbled in the final minutes against the San Francisco 49ers, resulting in a 17–13 loss. Then, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5, his fourth-quarter interception set up the Bucs' game-winning field goal. Those mistakes raised significant eyebrows about his three-year, $100.5 million contract.

The good sign? Despite the shaky start, he recorded 17 of his total 25 touchdown passes in his first nine games. And by February, he became a Super Bowl champion. So, there is no reason to think of him as anything but a long-term asset for head coach Mike Macdonald’s unit.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates after defeating the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

On Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine, Seahawks general manager John Schneider addressed Darnold's future on ESPN's "The Rich Eisen Show" and made the direction clear.

"We want him to be our quarterback for a long time, for sure," Schneider said. "He came in and fit in just like seamless."

The Seahawks face a difficult financial offseason. On Feb. 13, $17.5 million of Darnold’s 2026 salary became guaranteed. Between his base pay and upcoming roster bonuses, his 2026 cap hit is $37.9 million. While a new extension could change that number, Schneider has not yet moved to renegotiate.

But the bigger challenge is keeping the championship roster together. Six starters are entering free agency, including Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, who is expected to command around $11 million per year.

Key defensive players, including Boye Mafe and Riq Woolen, also need new contracts. As Schneider noted, fitting these pieces into the budget will be a major task.

On top of that, the Seahawks are navigating an ownership transition after Paul G. Allen's estate put the franchise up for sale, adding another layer of complexity. But for now, Darnold doesn’t have to worry about the financial strain because the Super Bowl win has made him untouchable, at least for a few more years.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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