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Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Sam Darnold Continues Career Resurgence

Originally posted on Total Apex Sports | By Justin Rimpi | Last updated Nov 13, 2025 12:08 PM ET

When the Seattle Seahawks let Geno Smith walk and signed Sam Darnold, more than a few eyebrows were raised. It felt like a head-scratcher, a classic Seahawks move that would either be genius or a spectacular failure. It is looking like John Schneider just pulled off the fleece of the century. Not only is Darnold playing like a man possessed, but the ghosts of quarterbacks past, Geno Smith and Russell Wilson, are haunting their new teams with some truly miserable football.

It’s almost poetic. While Darnold and the 8-2 Seahawks are gearing up for a huge NFC West clash against the Rams, their predecessors are sinking their respective ships. Smith and Wilsin have a combined 4-15 record. You read that right. It’s the kind of delicious irony that makes you feel just a little bit smug. Schneider’s quarterback shuffle has turned Seattle into a legitimate Super Bowl contender, and there isn’t a single ounce of FOMO in the Emerald City.

Darnold’s Ascent vs. The Ghost Of Quarterbacks Past

Sam Darnold W-L comparison

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— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) November 12, 2025

Remember when “seeing ghosts” was the punchline for every Darnold joke? That tired old line is getting about as much play as Wilson did in the fourth quarter against the Bears. In relief of the injured Jaxson Dart, Wilson led the Giants on a pathetic 12-play, 11-yard drive that resulted in them getting outscored 14-3. As if that wasn’t embarrassing enough, the Giants just named Jameis Winston their starter over him.

Meanwhile, Smith couldn’t even muster more than a single touchdown in a loss to the Broncos. It is a brutal look for both former Seahawks QBs. The trades that sent Wilson to Denver and Smith to Vegas were already looking like wins for Seattle. Now? They look like absolute heists.

The Darnold Effect: More Than Just Stats

Sure, you can look at the numbers. Darnold is lighting it up with a league-leading 77.6 QBR, 2,262 passing yards, and 17 touchdowns. But his impact goes way beyond the stat sheet. This is a guy who’s been through the NFL wringer. He survived the football black hole that is the New York Jets and a forgettable stint with the Panthers. Now, after learning from offensive gurus like Kyle Shanahan and Kevin O’Connell, he’s finally showing the world what he can do.

He’s not just slinging the ball; he’s doing it with poise. Against the blitz, he’s the top-rated quarterback in the league. He’s patient, he’s accurate, and he’s turned Jaxon Smith-Njigba into the NFL’s leading receiver. He has completely transformed this offense into an explosive, multi-faceted machine.

The Seahawks took a gamble, and it’s paying off in spades. Darnold isn’t just managing the game; he’s winning it. And as he prepares for a massive showdown with Matthew Stafford and the Rams, one thing is clear: the ghosts are gone, and Sam Darnold is finally the quarterback everyone hoped he would be.

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

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