Sam Darnold’s NFL journey has been anything but linear, but on Sunday night, it came full circle in the biggest way possible: hoisting the Lombardi Trophy as the starting quarterback of the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
Seattle took down the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX, and Darnold-once written off as a draft bust-was right in the middle of it all. Now eight years into a career that began with sky-high expectations and plenty of early turbulence, the 28-year-old quarterback took a moment to reflect on the road he’s traveled. And in doing so, he made sure to acknowledge the fanbase that first believed in him.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Darnold had a heartfelt message for New York Jets fans, the same group that watched him struggle through three tough seasons after being selected third overall in 2018.
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’s not just lip service. For a player who was once the face of a franchise desperate for a turnaround, Darnold’s words carried the weight of someone who’s been through the fire-and come out the other side stronger.
His path to Super Bowl glory was far from conventional. After three seasons with the Jets, the team moved in a different direction, and Darnold landed in Carolina for a two-year stint with the Panthers. He then saw action in 10 games for the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, showing flashes but still searching for stability.
That stability finally came in Minnesota.
When rookie JJ McCarthy was ruled out for the 2024-25 season due to injury, Darnold stepped in as the Vikings’ starter-and he didn’t just manage the offense, he elevated it. He led Minnesota to the playoffs and earned the first Pro Bowl selection of his career, proving he still had the tools to be a high-level starter in this league.
That breakout campaign caught the attention of the Seahawks, who made a bold move in free agency, signing Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal. A big bet, no doubt-but one that paid off in the biggest way possible.
In his first season in Seattle, Darnold helped guide the franchise to its second Super Bowl title, playing with the kind of poise and confidence that once made him a top draft pick. He wasn’t just a passenger on this ride-he was behind the wheel, making smart decisions, delivering in big moments, and showing leadership that resonated throughout the locker room.
It's a remarkable turnaround for a player who, not long ago, was best known for a now-infamous "seeing ghosts" comment on national television. That moment, once symbolic of his early-career struggles, now feels like a distant memory.
Darnold’s story is a reminder that development in the NFL isn’t always linear. Sometimes, it takes the right situation, the right coaching staff, and the right timing for a player’s potential to fully bloom. And when it does, it’s something special.
For Sam Darnold, the journey from unfulfilled promise to Super Bowl champion is more than just a redemption arc-it’s a testament to perseverance, growth, and belief. And for the fans in New York who never stopped rooting for him, it’s a thank-you they can truly feel.