Why Jets Fans Are Pulling for Sam Darnold-and the Seahawks-on Super Bowl Sunday
In most NFL fanbases, watching a former player succeed elsewhere can feel like salt in the wound. But when it comes to Sam Darnold, Jets fans are singing a different tune. The former No. 3 overall pick, once seen as the franchise’s next big hope, is now playing for his third team since leaving New York-and somehow, Jets fans are genuinely rooting for him.
Let’s be clear: Darnold’s time with the Jets didn’t go the way anyone hoped. But it wasn’t for lack of effort or character.
From the moment he stepped into the building, Darnold handled himself like a pro. He earned respect not just for his play, but for the way he carried himself-humble, accountable, and gracious even when things fell apart around him.
And things did fall apart. Darnold was drafted into a situation that was far from ideal.
Coaching instability, a revolving door of offensive coordinators, and a roster that lacked talent across the board made it nearly impossible for him to thrive. The Jets didn’t set him up to succeed, and fans know it.
That’s why, even as his tenure ended without the results anyone wanted, there’s no bitterness from the fanbase-just a quiet understanding that Darnold deserved better.
What’s more impressive is that Darnold never took a shot at the organization on his way out. He’s had plenty of chances over the years to throw shade, but he’s consistently taken the high road. That kind of maturity doesn’t go unnoticed, especially in a league where grudges often go public.
When he was traded to the Panthers in 2021, the wounds were still fresh. It was tough for Jets fans to stomach the idea of Darnold flourishing somewhere else so soon.
But after a rocky two-year stint in Carolina and a backup role in San Francisco, the narrative changed. By the time he found his footing in Minnesota during the 2024 season, it had been four years since he wore green and white.
Another team had already moved on from him. At that point, any lingering “what-ifs” had faded, and fans could root for him without reservation.
Now, as Darnold suits up for the Super Bowl, Jets fans are all in. He’s no longer the quarterback they let go too soon-he’s the guy who weathered the storm, kept his head down, and finally found his moment. And let’s be honest: it doesn’t hurt that he’s doing it in the NFC, far from any direct impact on the Jets’ fortunes.
It also helps that the team Darnold is facing tonight is none other than the New England Patriots.
Jets Fans, Meet Your New Favorite Team: The Seattle Seahawks
Jets fans don’t need much of an excuse to root against the Patriots. The rivalry runs deep, and the scars from two decades of Belichick-Brady dominance haven’t faded. So when the Seahawks take the field tonight against New England, you better believe Gang Green will be waving the 12th Man flag with pride.
The Patriots are back in the Super Bowl after a 16-win season, while the Jets are coming off a brutal 3-14 campaign. But tonight isn’t about records.
It’s about schadenfreude. It’s about the chance to see Robert Kraft’s expression sour in the owner’s box.
It’s about watching Patriots fans squirm through four quarters of high-stakes football.
This year’s Super Bowl build-up hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing for New England. Belichick and Kraft were both left out of the Hall of Fame-something even Jets fans can admit feels like a slight, especially in Belichick’s case.
Their rookie quarterback, Drake Maye, came up just short in the MVP race. Tensions are high in Foxborough, and a Super Bowl loss would be the cherry on top of an already bitter sundae.
So while Jets fans may not have much to celebrate from their own season, they’ve got a clear rooting interest tonight. Sam Darnold leading the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win over the Patriots? That’s the dream scenario.
Just One Favor: Keep the Jets Out of the Broadcast
There’s one more thing Jets fans are hoping for tonight-some peace and quiet. Specifically, they’d love to get through the Super Bowl broadcast without hearing their team’s name dragged through the mud.
It’s been a long year. The Jets set records for all the wrong reasons in 2025, and the season was as forgettable as they come.
Yet somehow, they still manage to pop up in conversations during games they’re not even playing in. Usually, it’s not in a flattering light.
Tonight, the over-under for Jets mentions might be set at 1.5. One is almost inevitable-Darnold’s connection to New York will surely come up. But if they can avoid a second mention, especially one laced with sarcasm or mockery, Jets fans might consider that a small win.
Of course, there are a few landmines. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel interviewed with the Jets before landing in New England.
The Seahawks have two former Jets on the roster-kicker Jason Myers and defensive end Leonard Williams. So the potential for a stray reference is there.
But if Darnold balls out, the Seahawks take care of business, and the Jets are only mentioned once (and respectfully), fans in New York can go to bed with a rare sense of satisfaction. Not because their team won, but because-for one night-their former quarterback did, and their biggest rival didn’t.
That’s about as close to a Super Bowl win as it gets in Florham Park these days.