Sam Darnold just completed one of the most improbable journeys in recent NFL memory - from a rocky start with the New York Jets to hoisting the Lombardi Trophy as the quarterback of the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
Seattle’s 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX wasn’t just a team triumph - it was a personal redemption arc for Darnold, who’s been through nearly every twist and turn a quarterback can face in the NFL. And in the glow of the biggest win of his career, Darnold took a moment to send a message back to where it all began.
Speaking to reporters after the game, the 28-year-old quarterback made a point to thank Jets fans for their support - not just during his time in New York, but even now, years later, as he reached the pinnacle of the sport.
I asked Sam Darnold if he had a message to #Jets fans who have continued to support him:
— Justin Fried (@JustinTFried) February 10, 2026
“Thank you.”
“I always look at myself and feel like I could’ve done a lot more for that franchise.”
“The fact that [Jets fans] are able to support me even through that means a lot.” pic.twitter.com/AtOsbghHJN
“Thank you,” Darnold said. “I always look at myself and feel like I could've done a lot more for that franchise… The fact that [Jets fans] are able to support me even through that means a lot.”
That kind of humility and reflection speaks volumes about Darnold’s growth - not just as a player, but as a leader. It’s easy to forget now, but Darnold entered the league in 2018 as the Jets’ hopeful franchise quarterback. He showed flashes of talent, but the team around him never quite found its footing, and after three seasons, the organization opted to move in a different direction.
From there, Darnold’s career became a patchwork of opportunities and setbacks. Two seasons with the Carolina Panthers didn’t offer much stability. A short stint with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023 saw him step in for 10 games, but it wasn’t until he landed in Minnesota that things really began to click.
When Vikings rookie JJ McCarthy went down with a season-ending injury ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, Darnold was thrust into the starting role. And instead of just managing the offense, he elevated it. He led Minnesota to the playoffs and earned the first Pro Bowl selection of his career - a well-deserved nod that validated the work he’d put in to stay ready.
That performance caught the attention of the Seahawks, who made a bold move in free agency, signing Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal. It was a gamble - but one that paid off immediately.
In his first season in Seattle, Darnold didn’t just steady the ship. He helped steer the Seahawks to their second Super Bowl title in franchise history. His poise, decision-making, and command of the offense were all on display throughout the postseason, and he capped it off with a championship performance on the game’s biggest stage.
For a player once labeled a bust, whose early career was defined more by memes than milestones, this moment was about rewriting the narrative. Darnold didn’t just find a second chance - he made the most of it.
He’s not the same quarterback who once admitted to “seeing ghosts” on Monday Night Football. He’s a Super Bowl champion now. And while the journey took longer than expected, it’s clear Darnold never stopped believing in what he could become.
Now, with a ring on his finger and a fresh chapter unfolding in Seattle, Sam Darnold’s story is no longer about what went wrong in New York - it’s about everything he’s done right since.