Latest news with #Darnold
USA Today
21 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Sam Darnold names Seahawks' biggest reason for optimism
The Seattle Seahawks made a notable change at quarterback this offseason, swapping Geno Smith for Sam Darnold. Darnold was the best veteran quarterback available in free agency. General manager John Schneider made an aggressive move for his signature, inking him to a three-year deal worth $100.5 million. The Seahawks are attempting to qualify for the postseason after finishing second in the NFC West last season. They hope the relationship between Darnold and new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak can help lead the offense in a new, positive direction. The Seahawks are invested in Darnold. Bleacher Report recently wrote an article outlining reasons for optimism for all 32 teams. It's designed to analyze the best-case scenario for every organization. For the Seahawks, B/R focused on the addition of Darnold. "Darnold had a Pro Bowl campaign with the Vikings in 2024 but had never been a dependable starter before that campaign," Kristopher Knox acknowledged. "Seattle also lacks the strong supporting cast that Minnesota gave Darnold last season. Seattle's new-look receiving corps headlined by Cooper Kupp, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Jaxon Smith-Njigba has potential. However, it isn't as proven as a Minnesota group headlined by Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson." Hopefully the duo of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp will be effective enough for Darnold in 2025. It's true that the Seahawks can't match Minnesota's supporting cast. It's worth noting the Seahawks also plan to field a run-first offense this season, potentially removing some pressure from Darnold. "If Darnold does pan out, Seattle might have itself a top-10 signal-caller for the next decade-plus," Knox added. "The 28-year-old flashed his elite physical tools early and often last season. If offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak—who previously coached Darnold as the 49ers' passing game coordinator—can play to Darnold's strengths as Kevin O'Connell did, there's a real chance that Seattle's gamble will pay off in a big way."
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Looking back, Sam Darnold has still earned the Seahawks an 'A' grade in free agency
The Seattle Seahawks shook up their quarterback room in March. They signed Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million contract days after trading Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders. The move drew positive reviews initially. It looks even better now. Darnold's contract isn't fully guaranteed, and the Seahawks can cut him with a post-June 1 designation next year that would save them $27.5 million. If they're comfortable with rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe's development, this contract could be perfect for Seattle, says Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report. The deal looks even better now. Signing Darnold, who could start for another decade or more, was a low-risk, high-reward move. Seattle then got itself a developmental Plan B when it drafted Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe in Round 3. Milroe may be on the unpolished side but has the ceiling of an elite dual-threat quarterback in the mold of Lamar Jackson—who head coach Mike Macdonald saw plenty of as the Baltimore Ravens' defensive coordinator. If Darnold maintains his Pro Bowl form in Seattle, great. At worst, he'll give the Seahawks time to develop and evaluate Milroe while examining options in future draft classes. Knox gave the signing an "A", an upgrade from his colleague Gary Davenport, who gave the signing an "A-" initially after the signing. It feels like another fair deal for Darnold. If he outperforms expectations, he could set himself up for an extension from the Seahawks or earn an even bigger payday from another team if Seattle wants to move on to Milroe. Darnold is still only 28, and he possesses all the physical attributes needed in an NFL quarterback.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Seahawks earn a B- offseason grade from ESPN
The Seattle Seahawks underwent another offseason of considerable change. To Seattle's credit, when the team falls short of its goals, the franchise never wastes time deciding on whether or not to pivot in a new direction. Such is the case for the Seahawks now, as they decided to completely renovate their offense. Much has been talked about with regards to Seattle's quarterback position, as the Hawks moved on from Geno Smith and went with Sam Darnold. Obviously, this was indisputably their biggest move of the year. In a recent ESPN article where author Seth Walder graded each teams' offseason, the Seahawks earned a grade of B-, however, Walder is one of the few in the national media landscape that is favorable to Seattle's choice at quarterback. Here is what Walder wrote of the change: In a vacuum, I still prefer Smith to Darnold, but having seen how it shook out and the costs associated with each player, I'm changing my tune. The biggest factor is the contract Darnold received as a free agent -- a three-year deal averaging $33.5 million per year and, most critically, only $37.5 million fully guaranteed, per That number is crucial because while it's worthwhile for Seattle to see what it can get out of Darnold, there's a decent possibility this is a one-year arrangement. If so, the cost is reasonable. While Walder did offer a nuanced take on the quarterback position, the reason he is giving Seattle a B- grade is the fact the team did not reinvest its savings on the offensive line in free agency. The Seahawks boldly decided to not sign any of the available free agent guards or centers on the market. They opted to stick with what they already had (in the hopes a new coaching staff can help bring the most out of the current players) and address the need in the draft. While the Seahawks spent their first-round pick on guard Grey Zabel, they did not sign a free agent at the position (they did add tackle Josh Jones, who has played guard in the past). Instead, they appear poised to start Anthony Bradford or Christian Haynes at guard, which was a missed opportunity considering players such as Teven Jenkins, James Daniels and Mekhi Becton signed for relatively cheap and Will Hernandez is still available. Walder also considers the drop-off from DK Metcalf to Cooper Kupp will be "significant" and would have preferred the team pay Metcalf instead.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Seahawks projected to finish last in NFC West
The Seattle Seahawks finished 10-7, in second place in the NFC West last season. The organization has undergone sweeping changes this offseason. Sam Darnold replaces Geno Smith at starting quarterback, and Klint Kubiak is the new offensive coordinator. Other departures include DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, with Cooper Kupp and DeMarcus Lawrence being notable additions. All that change makes the Seahawks a difficult squad to project in 2025. Bleacher Report recently wrote an article outlining the teams most likely to finish last in their respective divisions this season. B/R has the Seahawks finishing fourth in the NFC West. That would represent a disastrous campaign. "In 2024, the Seattle Seahawks won 10 games and still missed the playoffs, and then they made significant changes to their offense," Moe Moton wrote. "They fired offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and traded quarterback Geno Smith, per his request, and wideout DK Metcalf. The Seahawks replaced Grubb with Klint Kubiak, who should be an upgrade, considering head coach Mike Macdonald wants to run the ball effectively. Kubiak likely learned the intricacies of developing a productive ground game from his father, Gary." Moton clearly has concerns about the direction of Seattle's offense. Specifically, can Darnold replicate the season he enjoyed with the Minnesota Vikings last year? The offensive line is another concern. "Darnold must prove his 2024 Pro Bowl year with the Vikings wasn't a fluke and his journeyman years are behind him," Moton continued. "Meanwhile, Kupp has to stay healthy. He's missed 18 games over the last two years, at least five in each of the previous three seasons. Darnold will regress behind an offensive line with question marks on the interior, resulting in Seattle taking a slight step back in the standings in a seven- or eight-win campaign." Darnold and the Seahawks will be tasked with proving the critics wrong this season.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
USC Trojan named riskiest signing of 2025 NFL offseason
Last season, Sam Darnold had an MVP-level campaign with the Minnesota Vikings. He threw for 35 touchdowns and 4,319 yards, earning the first Pro Bowl nod of his career which helped him sign a multi-year deal in Seattle. Even after having a statistically great season, this move by the Seahawks was looked at with mixed reviews. One commentator said it was one of the worst signings in free agency this offseason. After a Bleacher Report article put the Darnold acquisition atop its list of high-risk moves in the 2025 NFL offseason, Seahawks wire reporter justin Melo shared his perspective on the matter, while also providing analysis from the Bleacher Report author. "The Seattle Seahawks made the decision to sign free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold after trading starter Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders. Darnold inked a three-year contract worth $100.5 million. Seattle is hoping their gamble pays off. Bleacher Report recently compiled a list of the five riskiest moves of the offseason. The Pittsburgh Steelers' decision to sign Aaron Rodgers is among the inclusions. Notably at no. 1 overall is the Seahawks' move to sign Darnold in free agency. "'The Seattle Seahawks' gamble is a risk on another level entirely,' Kristopher Knox wrote. 'Like the Rodgers signing, it has the potential to blow up in Seattle's face and cost jobs. However, it's a risk Seattle didn't necessarily have to take. While the financial investment isn't egregious for a starting quarterback, it's a lot for a seven-year veteran with exactly one good season on his resume.' B/R is correct that the Seahawks are taking a huge risk by handing the offense to Darnold. As noted, his previous experience with new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak could prove decisive. Kubiak also plans to field a run-heavy offense with Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet in the backfield, removing some pressure from Darnold." Having a career resurgence at the level Sam Darnold had in Minnesota, it seemed to be the perfect situation for him, especially with quarterback guru and head coach Kevin O'Connell guiding him. Many people are skeptical Darnold can replicate the same success in a worse situation in Seattle. Sam Darnold should not be viewed as just a one-hit wonder. Instead he should be viewed in the same light as Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield, two guys who have really changed old narratives about their careers with stellar, consistent play. Seattle has competent coaching and some great weapons on offense to help Sam Darnold make the 2024 version of himself the new norm.
