Sam Darnold: The Quarterback Under the Gun in 2026

Sam Darnold, fresh off a Super Bowl victory, faces relentless scrutiny as doubts about his elite quarterback status persist. Winning the championship doesn’t erase the skepticism surrounding his abilities.

In his inaugural season with the Seattle Seahawks, Darnold posted impressive stats: 4,048 passing yards, ranking fifth in the NFL, alongside 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He completed 67.7% of his passes, a career high, and averaged 8.5 yards per attempt, placing third in the league. His passer rating stood at a solid 99.1.

For significant stretches, he showcased elite quarterback play, forming a potent duo with Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba led the league with 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 119 receptions, averaging 15.1 yards per catch.

However, Darnold enjoyed a level of freedom last season that will be absent in 2026. The Seahawks were not on anyone's Super Bowl radar, allowing Darnold to operate largely out of the national spotlight in the Pacific Northwest.

His Super Bowl performance raised eyebrows. Darnold completed just 19 of 38 passes (50%) for 202 yards and one touchdown, while running back Kenneth Walker took home the Super Bowl MVP — a title typically reserved for quarterbacks.

The upcoming season is Darnold's opportunity to cement his place among the NFL's elite quarterbacks.

Repeating last season's success won't come easy. Defensive coordinators have had an entire offseason to dissect his game tape and understand how the Seahawks generated explosive plays.

Compounding his challenges, Seattle lost offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who was highly sought after during the 2026 hiring cycle and is now with the Raiders. First-time playcaller Brian Fleury steps into a critical role.

Darnold also faces a depleted backfield after losing leading rusher Kenneth Walker to free agency. Walker is now with the Chiefs, leaving Zach Charbonnet, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the playoffs, and rookie first-round pick Jadarian Price to shoulder the load.

The receiving corps remains largely intact with Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Rashid Shaheed, Tory Horton, Jake Bobo, and tight end AJ Barner returning. However, Darnold may not rely on the ground game as heavily this season until Price acclimates to the NFL.

He must prove that his previous success wasn't merely a product of favorable conditions and a strong defense.

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