Sam Darnold is Proving the Entire NFL Wrong

By: Aryan Srinivasan

From draft-day promises to headline-making performances, Sam Darnold’s NFL story has morphed from “what if” to “what’s next,” and his Monday night outing for the Seattle Seahawks might be the clearest statement yet.

A rough start, a turning point

Selected third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, Darnold entered the league with the hope of being the next franchise quarterback. But his early years with the New York Jets and later the Carolina Panthers lacked consistency—frequent mistakes, coaching changes, and lost confidence clouded his potential.

Fast forward to 2024: with the Minnesota Vikings, Darnold re-earned belief. He threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, completed 66.2% of his passes, and posted a 102.5 passer rating. StatMuse+1 That year the Vikings went 14-3—the best record he’d ever seen as a starter. Wikipedia+1 But just as momentum built, Minnesota’s decision-makers let him walk. Though his record and stats were elite, the Vikings declined to franchise-tag him and moved on. Reuters+1

A fresh stage in Seattle

Darnold arrived in Seattle on a three-year, $100.5 million contract to lead a Seahawks team hungry for a quarterback who could inspire and deliver. New York Post And on Sunday night, November 2, 2025, on national television against the Washington Commanders, he delivered something close to perfection. He completed his first 16 pass attempts in the first half for 282 yards and four touchdowns, going 21-of-24 for 330 yards, four TDs and just one interception for a 141.0 passer rating. Seattle Seahawks said, “Sam’s execution right now — it’s just ridiculous.” NFL.com Darnold himself admitted he didn’t even realize he was perfect until someone told him at halftime. “It’s pretty cool,” he said. Seattle Seahawks

Why this matters

• Validation of ability: After the missteps and critiques, this performance affirms Darnold’s worth—not just as a good quarterback, but as one who can dominate.

• Missed opportunity for Minnesota: The Vikings watched a player lead them to 14 wins and then let him walk. In light of Darnold’s success in Seattle, Minnesota’s decision looks questionable.

• New narrative in Seattle: The Seahawks’ passing game needed a spark. With Darnold, they now possess a signal-caller who is calm, decisive, and exuding leadership under pressure.

• Human story of redemption: This isn’t just stats. This is a guy rebounding from early career doubt, embracing responsibility, and proving doubters wrong.

What lies ahead

Questions remain: Can Darnold sustain this high level of play across a full season? Can he lead Seattle deep into the playoffs? Will Minnesota regret the gamble they made (or didn’t make) on him? All of that is to come. But if Sunday night was any indication, Darnold is in a phase of his career where he’s not just playing well—he’s playing believably great.

In the arc of his story, Sam Darnold has moved from aspiring prodigy to overlooked veteran to dominant leader. In Seattle, under bright lights and renewed trust, he’s not just rewriting his career—he’s writing a new chapter entirely.