Sam Darnold’s journey through the NFL has been anything but smooth - but now, at 28, he’s one win away from a Super Bowl ring and a full-circle redemption arc that few saw coming.
Eight seasons. Five teams.
A rollercoaster of expectations, setbacks, and second chances. And yet, here he is, leading the Seattle Seahawks into Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots, with a shot at rewriting the narrative that’s followed him since he entered the league in 2018.
“It’s always just been about putting in hard work, every single day,” Darnold said this week. “Hard work and all the dedication and hours I put in in the offseason, during the season, it leads to this moment.”
That mindset - steady, unshaken, and forged through adversity - has become the defining trait of a quarterback who’s seen more than his share of turbulence. From being the No. 3 overall pick out of USC to bouncing between franchises searching for stability, Darnold’s career has been a case study in how much a quarterback’s environment can shape their trajectory.
A Rocky Start in New York
Darnold’s NFL debut came with the weight of a franchise on his shoulders. Drafted by the Jets at just 20 years old, he entered a situation that was far from ideal.
In his three seasons in New York, the Jets cycled through head coaches, offensive coordinators, and a revolving door of offensive weapons. The result?
A 78.6 passer rating - 45th out of 47 qualified quarterbacks during that span - and just 13 wins over three seasons.
The talent was there, but the infrastructure wasn’t. And when Robert Saleh took over as head coach in 2021, the Jets moved on, trading Darnold to Carolina.
More Instability in Carolina
Unfortunately, the Panthers chapter looked a lot like the Jets one. Darnold’s offensive coordinator, Joe Brady, was fired midway through the 2021 season.
Head coach Matt Rhule didn’t last long into 2022. In 17 starts for Carolina, Darnold threw for 3,670 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions - another season of flashes overshadowed by inconsistency and chaos.
Still, Darnold took those experiences and used them as fuel. He learned how to reset, how to stay mentally tough, and most importantly, how to keep perspective.
“Just learning how to flush bad plays, flush bad games,” he said. “As a young player, early on in my career, I was really hard on myself.
After a bad rep or a bad practice, I would let it affect my attitude a little bit. Just being able to have a great attitude all the time - ‘All right, that happens, it’s football, we’re not always going to be perfect.’”
That shift in mindset became crucial in the next phase of his career.
A Turning Point in San Francisco
In 2023, Darnold signed a one-year deal with the 49ers. He only started one game, but the value of that season can’t be measured in stats.
Under Kyle Shanahan, Darnold finally experienced what a quarterback-friendly system looks like. The offense was tailored to his strengths.
The coaching staff believed in him. The offensive line gave him time.
The playmakers did their job. And for the first time, Darnold wasn’t being asked to carry the team - just to run the offense.
It wasn’t flashy, but it was foundational.
He recalled a quote from Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice that stuck with him: “He never had a perfect practice or perfect game.” That idea - perfection isn’t the goal, progress is - became part of Darnold’s approach.
“You’re never going to have a perfect day out there,” Darnold said. “And once you truly understand that, you can go out there and play free.”
Breakout in Minnesota
In 2024, the opportunity finally came. After J.J.
McCarthy suffered a meniscus injury in training camp, Darnold stepped in as the starter for the Vikings - and delivered the best season of his career. He led Minnesota to a 14-3 record, threw for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and just 12 interceptions.
He looked confident, composed, and in control.
But after a tough playoff loss to the Rams in the Wild Card round, the Vikings let him walk.
Redemption in Seattle
Seattle saw something in Darnold - and they bet big. A three-year, $100.5 million contract brought him to the Pacific Northwest, and once again, Darnold had something to prove.
He delivered.
Not only did he lead the Seahawks past the 49ers and Rams to reach the Super Bowl, but he did it while managing an oblique injury - and without turning the ball over in either playoff game. In the NFC Championship, he outplayed 2025 NFL MVP Matthew Stafford, showing poise under pressure and command of the offense.
“Sam’s just been so resilient,” said Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald. “He’s so steadfast in his approach, he’s confident in who he is. He understands how much his team believes in him and has his back.”
That belief - from his coaches, teammates, and now a fan base - has made all the difference. Darnold isn’t trying to prove he’s perfect. He’s just trying to be the quarterback his team needs, one play at a time.
The Final Chapter?
No one knows how Darnold’s story will ultimately end. But what’s clear is that he’s no longer defined by the early missteps of his career. He’s grown, adapted, and persevered - and now he’s 60 minutes away from a Lombardi Trophy.
In a league that often gives up on quarterbacks too quickly, Darnold is a reminder that sometimes, the right system, the right support, and the right mindset can unlock what was always there.
He may have started as a cautionary tale. But now? He’s writing one of the best comeback stories in the NFL.