Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is sitting on a hefty three-year, $100.5 million contract, with two years still on the clock. Under the watchful eye of general manager John Schneider, the Seahawks have a firm stance: no contract extensions for players with more than a year left on their deals. So, even after a stellar Pro Bowl season and steering the team to a Super Bowl victory, Darnold isn't likely to see a new deal this offseason.
Schneider, speaking earlier this week, seemed to underscore this point. When asked at the NFL Combine about any potential talks with Darnold’s camp, Schneider simply stated, “Sam signed a three-year deal.” This makes it clear-Seattle isn't planning to deviate from their policy.
However, Schneider did express a desire for Darnold to remain the Seahawks' main man for the foreseeable future. On The Rich Eisen Show, Schneider praised Darnold's seamless integration into the team and his leadership qualities, describing him as a "humble, tough leader" with a "real cool way about him."
Darnold’s stats from the past season tell a compelling story. He ranked fifth in the NFL for passing yardage with 4,048 yards, second in yards per pass attempt at 8.5, and tied for seventh in completion rate at 67.7%. Despite leading the league with 20 turnovers, he ended the season strong, avoiding any turnovers in the final four games, including the Super Bowl.
His standout moment came in the NFC title game against the Los Angeles Rams, where he delivered a career-best performance. Darnold threw for 346 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions, guiding Seattle to a 31-27 victory over their rivals.
Looking ahead, Darnold's $37.9 million salary cap hit for 2026 ranks him 12th among quarterbacks, according to Spotrac.com. While the Seahawks are committed to him for the long haul, it seems the current contract will remain as is for now.