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With only the Super Bowl remaining, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is on the verge of completing one of the NFL’s most unlikely career comeback stories.
Darnold was selected No. 3 overall by the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL Draft, but his early years in the league were rocky. His time in New York featured some historically rough stat lines, while other quarterbacks from his draft class found success almost immediately. That class included Baker Mayfield (No. 1), Josh Allen (No. 7), and Lamar Jackson (No. 32).
After his Jets tenure, the idea that Darnold would be the first quarterback from that class to lead a team to the Super Bowl would have sounded far-fetched to most NFL fans. Meanwhile, Jackson — a two-time MVP — and Allen, the reigning MVP, have spent their careers chasing a Lombardi Trophy, and have big playoff moments, but have yet to reach the sport’s biggest stage.
“It’s unbelievable,” Darnold said of that storyline following Seattle’s 31–27 win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC championship. “Obviously those are great players.”
Darnold has benefited from a strong supporting cast and a defense that rivals any in the league, something he was quick to acknowledge.
“It’s more so the team,” Darnold said of the achievement. “The hard work that we’ve put in throughout this season. I know every team works very hard. But to able to be to go against that defense every single day, that got us better as an offense.”
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After leaving the Jets, Darnold spent two seasons in Carolina, including one year as teammates with Mayfield. He then signed with San Francisco, followed by a stint in Minnesota where he put together a standout season before landing in Seattle.
During his time with the 49ers, the team reached the Super Bowl, prompting Darnold to offer a correction regarding his place in draft-class history. He noted that he technically became the first quarterback from the 2018 class to reach the Super Bowl two years ago — albeit as Brock Purdy’s backup.
“I actually made it in ’23 when I was in San Francisco,” he joked.
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