Will we get the Jets Darnold or Vikings Darnold in Seattle?

By Andy Davies

Sam Darnold became a Seattle Seahawks player this offseason.

The Seahawks made a big change at the quarterback position, trading away Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a 92nd overall pick. His replacement is Darnold, who signed a three-year $100.5 million deal.

The most coveted free agent quarterback this offseason, Darnold had a career year with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. He threw for 4,319 yards and 35 passing touchdowns in the regular season, both ranked fifth in the league. He guided the Vikings to a 14-3 record but they exited the playoffs in the Wildcard Round.

His final two performances in the 2024 season were felt by many to have taken millions off his new deal for whichever team takes him on. Despite this, the Seahawks have taken a chance on him and given him the money many thought he had cost himself.

The arrival in Seattle has led to many wondering whether they will get the Darnold we saw in the first 17 weeks of the 2024 season with Minnesota, or the Darnold we saw for the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers and the final two games of the 2024 season.

Darnold’s struggles in New Jersey

JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 27: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets looks to pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on October 27, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars defeated The Jets 29 to 15. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)

Darnold was projected as a top quarterback prospect after a successful time with the USC Trojans. The Jets traded up to the third overall spot in the 2018 NFL Draft, but he flattered to deceive. In three seasons, he recorded 8,097 passing yards, 45 passing touchdowns and 39 interceptions.

He was traded to the Carolina Panthers for a 2021 sixth-round pick and 2022 second and fourth round picks, but his time there was even less successful.

Darnold was excellent for the Vikings in 2024, but there is a growing feeling of whether this was just a one season wonder.

His performances in the Week 18 loss to the Detroit Lions and the Wildcard Round defeat to the Los Angeles Rams were a far cry from the rest of the season. He failed to record a touchdown or interception in the Detroit season finale loss as they became the first team to win 14 games and not win their division.

In fact, their record would have won five of the eight divisions and they had the same number of regular seasons wins as the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East.

After a disappointing performance against Detroit, Darnold threw for one pick and one touchdown against the Rams but was sacked nine times.

The 2025 season will determine whether or not he caught lightning in a bottle. However, he was only sacked two times less than Smith last season, going from one bad offensive line to another. If he resorts back to his Jets self, then this could be a problematic contract for Seattle

Will we get 2024 Darnold in Seattle?

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 08: Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during a NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons on December 8, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

If the Seahawks get the 2024 Darnold, then they will be in good hands. After all, getting a quarterback seven years younger can only be a good thing for the future of a franchise. One thing he suffered from during the early parts of his career was poor coaching.

Todd Bowles has been a success for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it did not work out for him with the Jets and he was sacked after the conclusion of Darnold’s rookie season. Adam Gase replaced him, but his time in New Jersey was a major disappointment. Matt Rhule was the Panthers coach when he made the move to Carolina but he also had his struggles.

Kyle Shanahan is the best head coach Darnold has ever worked under, but this was whilst as the backup to Brock Purdy. When he got his chance to start for the Vikings, Kevin O’Connell helped unleash his talent and won Coach of the Year as a result.

It remains to be seen whether Mike Macdonald is a good NFL head coach or not, but if he can be capable, then Darnold has proven he can play well with good coaching.

A 10-7 season in your first year as an NFL head coach is a good start. This is something to be proud of. After all, they started 3-0 and won six of their last eight games. Wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett might be gone, but Cooper Kupp is a more than capable replacement as the WR2. Ranked 11th against the pass and with the 12th least points allowed in 2024, this unit proved exactly why Macdonald was hired.

Darnold has a crucial year ahead, one that could shape the rest of his career.

ANDY DAVIES

NFL ANALYST

ANDY IS A SPORTS JOURNALISM GRADUATE WITH OVER FOUR YEARS EXPERIENCE OF NFL WRITING AND PODCASTING. ANDY HAS BEEN TO EVERY NFL STADIUM AND IS THE HOST OF THE ACROSS THE POD PODCAST. HE HAS PRESS PASS EXPERIENCE AT THE LONDON GAMES AND MANY OTHER NFL BASED EVENTS SUCH AS THE SUPER BOWL, HAVING INTERVIEWED THE LIKES OF AARON RODGERS, JASON BELL, OSI UMENYIORA, PATRICK MAHOMES, TRAVIS KELCE, DERRICK HENRY, SAQUON BARKLEY AND JALEN HURTS.

 
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