Seahawks' Sam Darnold makes history even before playing in Super Bowl LX

Super Bowl LX features two franchises that have reached this stage many times before, but both are led by quarterbacks under a new kind of pressure. 

For Drake Maye, it's an opportunity to bring the New England Patriots their first Lombardi Trophy without Tom Brady under center. On the other side, Sam Darnold can complete the ultimate comeback story this Sunday.

The former No. 3 overall pick has had a long journey to the final game of the 2025-26 NFL season, but he will already have made history when he takes the field in Santa Clara, California.

Here are five notable facts about the Seattle Seahawks star quarterback heading into Super Bowl LX. 

Sam Darnold is one of three QBs in NFL history to start a Super Bowl after playing for four or more teams 

Darnold has carved out one of the most unusual paths to a championship game in NFL history. After stops with the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings and now the Seahawks, Darnold has become the third quarterback to start a Super Bowl after playing for four or more different teams.

This gritty journeyman trajectory places the 28-year-old in an elite club of persistence alongside Earl Morrall, who was on his fifth team with the 1968 Colts, and Chris Chandler, who reached the Super Bowl with the 1998 Falcons as his sixth career stop. 

If Darnold can beat the Patriots this Sunday, he will stand alone as the first quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl as a starter after tenures with four or more previous organizations.

Darnold is the first QB from USC to start in a Super Bowl

USC is one of the most decorated programs in college football history, having produced three Heisman Trophy winners at quarterback. Rodney Peete, Carson Palmer, Matt Cassell and Caleb Williams are just some of the great leaders under center who have found success at the next level. 

But Darnold now stands alone as the first quarterback from the 11-time national champions to start in this game. 

Darnold is first QB from 2018 draft class to reach this stage

Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson will most certainly get their own busts in Canton when they finally decide to retire, but Darnold is the first quarterback from this decorated draft class to start in a Super Bowl. 

The number one pick from that draft, Baker Mayfield, is also no stranger to success after a fresh start, but a few seasons ago, this result would've seemed impossible. 

Darnold is the first QB ever to post back-to-back 14-win seasons with two different teams

There have only been two other quarterbacks in NFL history to post back-to-back 14+ winning seasons. Chicago Bears legend Jim McMahon accomplished this feat in 1985 and 1986, despite playing only six regular-season games in the latter year due to injuries.

Tom Brady one-upped that feat with two straight 14-win seasons and Lombardi trophies in 2003 and 2004. But no starting quarterback has hit this win total in back-to-back years with different teams until Darnold.

Darnold led the Seahawks to best regular-season record in franchise history 

The Seahawks have never reached 14 wins until this season. Even with the 17-game slate, this is the highest winning percentage the franchise has ever posted. 

General manager John Schneider took a supposed gamble when he decided to sign Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million contract in March of 2025. Still, this move might result in the Seahawks second-ever championship.