The Seattle Seahawks are 9-3 heading into Week 14, and while there’s been no shortage of standout performances across the roster, it’s fair to say quarterback Sam Darnold has played a central role in their success. He’s not just managing the offense - he’s elevating it. And in a conference where every edge matters, Darnold’s steady hand has the Seahawks firmly in the hunt for the NFC West crown and even the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Let’s be clear: Darnold isn’t just surviving - he’s thriving. He’s currently ninth in QBR at 64.3 and completing 68.3% of his passes.
Those are the numbers of a quarterback who’s not only making smart decisions but also executing consistently at a high level. For a player whose career has had more twists than a Pacific Northwest logging road, this season feels like a breakthrough - and the Seahawks are reaping the rewards.
But here's where things get interesting. Despite Darnold’s strong play, his long-term future in Seattle isn’t completely locked in.
That’s because of how the Seahawks structured his contract - a three-year, $100.5 million deal signed in free agency earlier this year. While the contract runs through 2027, only the first year was guaranteed at signing.
That’s by design. The Seahawks have long preferred to build in flexibility with veteran deals, and this one is no exception.
Here’s the key detail: if Darnold is still on the roster five days after the Super Bowl - February 13, to be exact - then $17.5 million of his 2026 salary becomes fully guaranteed. But if the Seahawks decide to move on before that date, they wouldn’t owe him anything beyond this season, aside from $25.6 million in dead money.
On paper, that sounds like a potential out. In practice? It’s hard to imagine Seattle even entertaining that option right now.
For starters, Darnold is playing some of the best football of his career. He’s operating Shane Waldron’s offense with confidence, making smart reads, and showing the kind of poise that once made him a top-three pick.
He’s not just along for the ride - he’s steering the ship. Cutting ties with him after this season would not only be a massive risk, it would also mean letting a valuable asset walk for nothing.
And that’s not how you build sustainable success in today’s NFL.
Yes, the Seahawks did draft Jalen Milroe in 2025, and he’s viewed as a potential future starter. But he’s still in the developmental phase, with limited snaps under his belt this season. Banking on him to be ready by 2026 would be a gamble - especially when you’ve got a proven starter already in-house.
The reality is, Seattle’s front office gave themselves options - not because they don’t believe in Darnold, but because they understand how quickly things can change in this league. Injuries, regression, or a surprise opportunity in the draft - all of it can shift a team’s plans in a heartbeat. But as things stand today, there’s no compelling reason to pivot.
Darnold has earned another year, and probably more. The Seahawks are winning, the offense is clicking, and the locker room has rallied behind its quarterback. Unless something dramatic happens between now and February, expect Seattle to keep rolling with the guy who’s helped get them to 9-3 - and maybe a whole lot further.