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After a disastrous start to Sam Darnold’s career, many wrote off the USC quarterback. To be fair, Darnold’s first NFL pass was a pick-six.
However, after six seasons with three different teams, Darnold landed in Minnesota, where he was expected to be the Vikings’ backup. The team had just drafted who they thought would be their franchise quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, but he tore his meniscus in his first preseason game.
Suddenly, Darnold was starting, and many assumed it would go the same way much of his career had. Then again, Darnold had never had a player like Justin Jefferson to throw to, and certainly never a head coach like Kevin O’Connell.
Despite an impressive first season as the Vikings’ starter, Darnold’s rough playoff showing led Minnesota to go with the younger McCarthy.
An opening with the Seattle Seahawks then presented itself, and leaving Minnesota might have been the best thing for Darnold.
Sam Darnold contract details
Following his departure from Minnesota, Darnold was a free agent looking for a home.
Darnold eventually landed a deal with the Seahawks. In March of 2025, he signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract.
Why did Sam Darnold sign with Seahawks?
It was sort of a perfect storm for Darnold and the Seahawks. Seattle could not re-sign Geno Smith; therefore, they dealt him to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Darnold was pushed out of Minnesota for McCarthy, and he just had the best season of his career. Seattle was not in a position to sell because its roster was still extremely talented.
Not only was Darnold's prior season a draw, but for Seattle in particular, it was his familiarity with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Kubiak had coached Darnold in 2023 when they both crossed paths with the San Francisco 49ers.
With one season in the books, Minnesota might be kicking itself as the Seahawks finished as the No. 1 in the NFC. Whereas the Vikings not only missed the playoffs but also got few answers from McCarthy.
Sam Darnold 2025 free agency
All things considered, Darnold was one of the best quarterback options available in free agency. After his resurgence in Minnesota, teams could not help but marvel at the possibility of Darnold recreating.
However, his horrific playoff performance in his last game as a Viking certainly deterred some organizations from being aggressive towards Darold.
The Seahawks received a lot of backlash for paying a player like Darnold, who, up until that point, had only one good season in his entire NFL career.
Now, only one season into his deal, the Seahawks are Super Bowl contenders.
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