Sam Darnold is walking into 2026 with more on his plate than just a new play caller. The Seahawks quarterback is carrying rising expectations, a changing offensive setup and a contract situation that’s starting to hover in the background.
One thing Darnold has already made clear: he likes what he sees from new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury. According to a post on X by Brady Henderson, Darnold described Fleury as “stoic, even-keeled and consistent (which is not unlike his predecessor, Klint Kubiak). The two previously crossed paths in 2023, Darnold’s lone season as the 49ers’ backup QB.”
That familiarity matters, but so does the tone Fleury is bringing. Darnold said the new coordinator has a clear message for the offense.
“He wants our offensive line to attack, take control,” Darnold said. “And I think that’s a really good mindset for an offensive coordinator to have.
“It’s going to be fun to figure out what our identity is here. He’s just very consistent. And players appreciate that when a coach is very consistent.”
Darnold’s own stock has climbed over the last two NFL seasons, and that rise has changed the conversation around him. The Seahawks now have a quarterback under pressure in 2026, and the demands are only going up as he adjusts to Fleury.
At the same time, the money question isn’t going away. Sports.mynorthwest.com noted that Darnold’s contract situation is drawing comparisons to what the Buccaneers are facing with Baker Mayfield.
“If you’re Sam Darnold’s agent, you’re looking at that negotiation very closely and saying, ‘hey, if Baker Mayfield gets maybe $50 million per year, well gosh, Sam Darnold’s won a Super Bowl,' ” Barnwell said on Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy. “(Sam’s) a higher-profile quarterback, he’s got a better arm, he’s been more consistent as a starter over the last few years. Maybe $52 (million) or $55 (million) should be the number for Sam Darnold.”
Even with the Seahawks coming off a championship season, Barnwell said the team still seems to be fighting for respect.
“I understand where they’re coming from,” Barnwell said. “Maybe a prove-it kind of thing that I don’t think other Super Bowl teams have had to do.
I think part of that’s Sam Darnold. Part of that’s just because the expectation was not that this would be a Super Bowl team.
I think it would have been the same thing, frankly, had it been the Patriots winning instead of the Seahawks.”
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