3 weeks agoDuring his introductory press conference on Thursday, Seattle Seahawks quarterback
Sam Darnold drew praise from head coach Mike Macdonald. Per Nick Shook of NFL.com, Macdonald was "ecstatic" and gushing with praise over his new QB. "First of all, he's just a tremendous human being, a great leader," said the head coach. "We had a lot of people in our building that have the history with Sam...So, I'm really excited to get our relationship started." The history Macdonald refers to regards new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who has ties with Darnold from their time spent together in San Francisco in 2023. "Obviously, you know, working with Klint...I'm very familiar with the scheme," Darnold told reporters. The 27-year-old's familiarity with the offensive system -- a riff on the one he ran in Minnesota -- is what made him so attractive to the team. Despite a late-season meltdown, the USC product was superb in 2024. However, his new team does not sport the same arsenal of weaponry that he deployed with the Vikings. Wide receiver is a glaring need for Seattle, and they'll need to address that position so that Darnold can reach the heights he did a season ago.
--Alex CiullaSource: Nick Shook
3 weeks agoThe Seattle Seahawks have signed quarterback
Sam Darnold to a three-year, $110.5 million contract. This deal includes $55 million guaranteed. Just days after trading
Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Seahawks will now turn to Darnold to lead their franchise. After never reaching his full potential after being selected with the third overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, Darnold finally found his footing last season in Minnesota. He led the Vikings to an impressive 14-3 record. He threw for 4,319 yards and added 35 passing scores, which were both the fifth-most in the league. Darnold flourished under head coach Kevin O'Connell and threw at least three passing scores in six contests. Darnold will now join Seattle, which finished just short of a playoff bid as they held a 10-7 record. The Seahawks recently parted ways with wide receiver
DK Metcalf, which leaves
Jaxon Smith-Njigba as Darnold's lone proven wideout. Darnold should be viewed as a solid QB2 in all formats but could enter the low-end QB1 range if Seattle improves their wide receiver room.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
3 weeks agoDianna Russini of The Athletic reports that the Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to make an offer to free-agent quarterback
Sam Darnold. Per Russini, many around the league believe that the 27-year-old will wind up landing in Seattle with the Seahawks. However, the Steelers are exhausting every option in search of their next field general. Darnold is coming off his best season as a pro -- setting career highs across the board en route to a 14-3 record with Minnesota. While some may be left with a bad taste in their mouth due to his meltdown at the end of the regular season that continued into the playoffs, the former USC Trojan was mainly stellar in 2024 and finished as a top-ten fantasy quarterback. Whether he can repeat his success outside Minnesota remains to be seen, but he's undoubtedly drawing strong interest around the league.
--Alex CiullaSource: Dianna Russini
3 weeks agoThe Seattle Times' Bob Condotta writes that Minnesota Vikings impending free-agent quarterback
Sam Darnold is now an obvious target for the Seattle Seahawks in free agency this offseason after they traded
Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday. Darnold won't be the only QB that the Seahawks explore, but Condotta also says that they will not consider a reunion with Pittsburgh Steelers impending free-agent QB
Russell Wilson. The Seahawks can begin discussing a potential deal with Darnold and his representatives as early as Monday, when the legal tampering period opens. The Vikings had been interested in re-signing Darnold after his career year in 2024, but now he's expected to go elsewhere. Although the former first-rounder looked terrible in the final two games of the year, he threw for 4,319 yards, 35 TDs and 12 interceptions in 17 regular-season games. A repeat of that performance is probably unlikely, especially if he's not back in Minnesota.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Seattle Times - Bob Condotta
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