Sam Darnold’s Redemption Arc Ends in Glory as Klint Kubiak Heads to Vegas After Seahawks’ Super Bowl Triumph
Sam Darnold stood on the biggest stage in football Sunday night, not just as a quarterback, but as a symbol of resilience. Just a year removed from a playoff performance that had many questioning his future, Darnold helped guide the Seattle Seahawks to a 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX - and in doing so, completed one of the more improbable redemption stories in recent memory.
But the celebration in Seattle wasn’t just about Darnold. It also marked the end of Klint Kubiak’s tenure as offensive coordinator - and the beginning of his next chapter as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Kubiak’s Next Chapter: From Champion Coordinator to Head Coach
Minutes after the confetti fell, Kubiak confirmed what had been rumored all week: he’s headed to Las Vegas.
“You guys know I’m going to Las Vegas,” Kubiak told NFL Network. “I’m fired up about it.
Hell yeah, I’m going. Of course, I’m going.”
And why wouldn’t he be? He’s leaving Seattle at the peak - calling plays for a team that just won it all - and walking into a major opportunity to rebuild a Raiders franchise that’s been stuck in neutral. Las Vegas finished the 2025 season with just three wins, but with the No. 1 overall pick in hand and a potential franchise quarterback in Fernando Mendoza on the radar, the pieces could be there for Kubiak to mold something meaningful.
Darnold, for his part, had nothing but praise for the man who helped him find his footing in Seattle.
“Klint’s the man,” Darnold said after the game. “He’s a great person and a really smart football mind. I think he’s going to do great things in Vegas.”
Kubiak’s offensive design played a key role in Seattle’s championship run. While the numbers in the Super Bowl weren’t flashy - Darnold went 19-of-38 for 202 yards and one touchdown - the game plan was efficient, balanced, and tailored to avoid mistakes.
No interceptions, no turnovers, just clean football. The ground game and defense did the heavy lifting, and Darnold did exactly what was needed: manage the moment, protect the football, and keep the chains moving.
Darnold’s Comeback: From Playoff Doubts to Super Bowl Champion
Let’s rewind to a year ago. Darnold, then with the Minnesota Vikings, had a nightmare of a playoff debut.
One interception. Nine sacks.
A 27-9 loss to the Rams in the Wild Card round. It was the kind of performance that sticks - the kind that sparks debates on sports talk shows and leaves front offices wondering if a change is needed.
Fast forward to now, and Darnold has flipped the script.
This wasn’t a performance that will land him in the Hall of Fame, but it was exactly what Seattle needed. Steady.
Composed. Smart.
He let the run game and defense shine while avoiding the big mistakes that had haunted him in the past. And now, he’s a Super Bowl champion - with a ring that no one can take away.
A Championship Built on Balance
Seattle’s win wasn’t about one player. It was the culmination of a team effort - a defense that kept the Patriots in check, a rushing attack that set the tone, and a quarterback who didn’t try to be the hero, but played like one anyway by staying within himself.
And behind it all was Klint Kubiak, dialing up the right calls at the right times, helping Darnold find rhythm, and putting the Seahawks in position to control the game from start to finish.
Now, Kubiak heads to Vegas with a clean slate and a massive challenge. Darnold stays in Seattle, now with a championship pedigree and the confidence that comes with it.
And the Seahawks? They walk into the offseason as the reigning champs - with a quarterback who’s finally silenced the doubters, and a coaching staff that proved it could build a winner.
For both Darnold and Kubiak, Super Bowl LX wasn’t just a win. It was a turning point.