Sam Darnold Shines in Seahawks’ Shutout Win Over Vikings, Reunites with Former Coach Kevin O’Connell
Sam Darnold didn’t just beat his former coach on Sunday - he dominated, and then shared a moment of mutual respect that reminded fans just how quickly things can change in the NFL.
In a game where everything clicked for the Seattle Seahawks and almost nothing went right for the Minnesota Vikings, Darnold led his team to a commanding 26-0 victory at Lumen Field. The shutout wasn’t just a win - it was a statement, and Darnold was at the heart of it.
After the final whistle, FOX Sports cameras caught a brief but telling exchange between Darnold and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. The two shared a hug and a few words - a quiet moment between a quarterback and the coach who helped resurrect his career just a season ago.
And that’s no exaggeration. Darnold’s resurgence under O’Connell in Minnesota last year was one of the biggest surprises of the season.
He parlayed that breakout year into a three-year, $100.5 million deal with Seattle - and he’s proving every week that the investment was worth it. Through this point in the season, Darnold has racked up 19 touchdown passes and holds a 103.1 passer rating, per NFL.com.
That’s elite territory, and Sunday’s performance only reinforced that he's in full control of this offense.
Seattle’s offense was efficient and aggressive, but it was the defense that really made life miserable for Minnesota. The Vikings’ offense, led by backup quarterback Max Brosmer, never found a rhythm.
Brosmer’s red-zone pick-six was the turning point - a backbreaking mistake that snuffed out any hope of a comeback before halftime. From there, the Seahawks took full control, and the Vikings had no answers.
For Minnesota, the questions are starting to pile up. One of the biggest: Did they move on from Darnold too quickly?
The team handed the reins to rookie J.J. McCarthy this season, betting on the future.
But with Darnold thriving in Seattle and the Vikings’ offense sputtering, it’s hard not to wonder what could’ve been if they’d stuck with the veteran for at least one more run.
Of course, Darnold isn’t looking back. He’s clearly found a home in Seattle, where the system fits his strengths and the results speak for themselves.
Sunday’s win wasn’t just another notch in the standings - it was a full-circle moment. A reminder of where he’s been, and how far he’s come.
And for Kevin O’Connell, it had to be bittersweet. He helped shape Darnold into the quarterback we’re seeing now, only to watch that growth come back to haunt his team in the most emphatic way possible.
In the NFL, connections like this don’t fade easily. But wins like Sunday’s? They linger - especially when they come with a shutout and a quarterback playing the best football of his career.