Sam Darnold’s Road to Super Bowl 60: How the Seahawks Got the Most Out of the NFL’s Ultimate Comeback QB
Yes, you read that right - Sam Darnold is starting in Super Bowl 60.
It’s the kind of sentence that would’ve sounded like a punchline a couple of years ago. But here we are, with Darnold set to lead the Seattle Seahawks onto the field at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, facing the New England Patriots with a Lombardi Trophy on the line.
And this isn’t some Cinderella story where the quarterback rides the defense’s coattails. Darnold played a central role in getting Seattle to this point - outdueling Matthew Stafford in a 31-27 NFC Championship thriller and delivering clutch performances throughout the postseason.
A Bold Move That Paid Off
Seattle’s decision to sign Darnold last offseason raised some eyebrows. After all, this was the same quarterback who flamed out with the Jets, struggled in Carolina, and spent 2023 backing up Brock Purdy in San Francisco. But the Seahawks saw something others didn’t - and they built the right environment to bring it out.
Darnold became the first quarterback from the 2018 first-round class - ahead of Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Baker Mayfield - to reach a Super Bowl. That’s a twist no one saw coming, but it wasn’t just luck. Seattle made a series of calculated moves that put Darnold in position to succeed.
It started with the hiring of Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator. Kubiak had worked with Darnold in San Francisco during the 2023 season, and that continuity proved crucial.
The Seahawks also committed to a balanced offensive approach, pairing a strong run game with a vertical passing attack that played to Darnold’s strengths. Add in one of the league’s best young receivers in Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a top-tier offensive line, and suddenly, Darnold didn’t have to be a savior - he just had to play within the system.
From Reset to Resurgence to Redemption
Darnold’s journey back to relevance started quietly in San Francisco. He didn’t see much action behind Purdy, but that year gave him something he hadn’t really had before - stability. Working under Kyle Shanahan and Kubiak helped refine his decision-making and timing, laying the foundation for what came next.
Then came 2024 in Minnesota. With Kevin O’Connell running a QB-friendly system, Darnold posted career-best numbers, leading the Vikings to a 13-4 record.
He had a strong offensive line, a true WR1, and a scheme built to highlight his arm talent. But the Vikings’ defense couldn’t hold up its end, and the lack of a consistent run game left too much on Darnold’s shoulders.
The result? A blowout playoff loss to the Rams, where he was sacked nine times and the offense never found its rhythm.
Fast forward to this postseason - same 13-4 record, different team, completely different outcome. The Seahawks gave Darnold what Minnesota didn’t: a complete roster.
The defense, led by head coach Mike Macdonald, was aggressive and disciplined. The offensive line held up.
The run game was reliable. And Smith-Njigba blossomed into a game-breaking threat.
That balance allowed Darnold to play his best football when it mattered most. Even though he led the league in turnovers during the regular season (20 in all), the Seahawks never asked him to do too much. And when he protected the ball and played within Kubiak’s system, good things happened - like 346 yards and three touchdowns in the NFC title game against Stafford and the Rams.
Seattle’s Calculated Gamble
The Seahawks didn’t stumble into this situation. They made a series of bold, forward-thinking moves that set the stage for Darnold’s resurgence.
First, they recognized that sticking with Geno Smith in a new offense wasn’t working. So they pivoted - bringing in Kubiak after his stint in New Orleans and moving on from Smith when the Raiders came calling.
At the same time, Darnold became available as the Vikings turned to J.J. McCarthy.
The timing was perfect. Seattle had a system ready-made for a quarterback with Darnold’s skillset, and Darnold had the experience - and humility - to embrace a fresh start.
General Manager John Schneider had already pulled off one successful QB transition, moving from Russell Wilson to Geno Smith. This time, he did it again, flipping the script from Smith to Darnold and landing the Seahawks back in the Super Bowl.
Not Just a Darnold Story - A Seahawks Story
It’s easy to focus on Darnold’s redemption arc - and make no mistake, it’s a good one. But the bigger story here is how the Seahawks built a team that could elevate the quarterback, not the other way around.
This isn’t about Darnold carrying a flawed roster. It’s about a well-rounded team that gave him the tools to thrive.
A dominant offensive line. A young star receiver.
A creative and balanced offensive scheme. And a defense that can get stops when it counts.
Seattle didn’t need Darnold to be a hero. They needed him to be efficient, decisive, and aggressive when the moment called for it. And that’s exactly what he’s been.
Super Bowl 60: One More Test
Now comes the ultimate challenge - facing a Patriots team led by likely MVP runner-up Drake Maye. Darnold is still looking for his first career win against New England, and the matchup will no doubt be framed as David vs. Goliath once again.
But if this postseason has shown us anything, it’s that Darnold doesn’t need to outshine Maye to win. He just needs to play his role - and trust the team around him.
Because this Seahawks team isn’t here by accident. And neither is Sam Darnold.