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Seahawks HC Shoots Down Reporter's 'Crazy' Question About Sam Darnold

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Brendan Howe | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 11:01 AM ET

The Seattle Seahawks aren't paying former USC Trojans standout quarterback Sam Darnold to be an understudy. After signing the veteran passer to a three-year, $110.5 million deal in free agency, head coach Mike Macdonald has made it clear that Drew Lock or rookie Jalen Milroe will not be usurping him.

Appearing on "Brock and Salk" on Tuesday, Macdonald was asked if there was anything other than an injury that could keep Darnold from being the Seahawks' starting quarterback.

"You guys are crazy," Macdonald said. "Look, I respect you gotta ask it, but it's just a crazy question. It's just not gonna happen. Sam's our starting quarterback. We love him. He's doing a tremendous job. I think it's funny that the media's out there for the first day and all of a sudden they know exactly how good we're gonna be and how good the players are and all the tempos."

Macdonald sarcastically said that he tells his players they have to be tight and can't make mistakes.

"That is not what we are trying to build," Macdonald said. "We want these guys to go prepare the right way, and then when we go out on the practice field, go freaking let it rip. And then we'll go fix it. ... Sam made a lot of great throws yesterday. He's gashing us on third-and-goal to start the day out, too, so, yeah, that was kind of a crazy question."

Darnold threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns with the Minnesota Vikings last season.

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

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