The Patriots and Seahawks are set to square off in Super Bowl LX on February 8, and while there are plenty of storylines to watch, one of the most compelling is the rise of Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold - a player who’s taken the long road to the biggest stage in football.
Darnold’s journey to this moment has been anything but conventional. After a solid stint with the Vikings in 2024, he hit free agency and landed a three-year, $100.5 million deal with Seattle - a move that raised some eyebrows at the time but looks like a masterstroke now. He’s been a steady, confident presence under center, helping guide the Seahawks through a competitive NFC and into the Super Bowl spotlight.
Former Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer didn’t mince words when asked about Darnold’s breakout season and how Minnesota handled his departure.
“If I’m Minnesota right now, how are you feeling about letting this guy just walk out the door?” Hoyer said during an appearance on Up & Adams. It’s a fair question - and one that hits a little harder now that Darnold is preparing to lead a team into the Super Bowl.
But context matters here. The Vikings didn’t exactly let Darnold go without a plan.
They had just used a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to select quarterback J.J. McCarthy, a move that signaled their long-term vision at the position.
Darnold only got his shot to start in Minnesota because McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason. And while Darnold made the most of that opportunity, the Vikings were always committed to McCarthy as their future.
That commitment shaped their decision-making. Tagging Darnold for another year could’ve delayed McCarthy’s development and created a quarterback controversy the franchise clearly wanted to avoid. Instead, they chose to move forward with their rookie, allowing Darnold to test the market - and ultimately find a new home in Seattle.
Now, with the Seahawks just one win away from a Lombardi Trophy, Darnold’s resurgence is one of the most remarkable storylines of the season. He’s not just managing games - he’s making plays, leading drives, and showing the kind of poise that teams dream of in January.
For the Vikings, it’s a tough pill to swallow. But for Darnold, it’s a career-defining moment - and a reminder that sometimes, all a quarterback needs is the right fit, the right system, and a second chance.