Sam Darnold’s Super Bowl Start Is More Than a Comeback-It’s NFL History in the Making
Super Bowl LX is loaded with storylines, but few are as compelling-or improbable-as Sam Darnold’s. The Seattle Seahawks quarterback is set to start the biggest game of the NFL season, and in doing so, he’s rewriting more than just his own narrative. He’s etching his name into league history.
For Darnold, this isn’t just a shot at redemption-it’s the culmination of one of the most unlikely quarterback journeys we’ve seen in the Super Bowl era. The former No. 3 overall pick has gone from being a draft-day darling to a journeyman, and now, to the doorstep of football immortality.
Let’s break down five remarkable facts that highlight just how unique Darnold’s path to Super Bowl LX really is.
1. Darnold Joins Rare Company: Super Bowl Starter After Stints with 4+ Teams
Darnold’s career has been anything but linear. He’s worn five different uniforms-Jets, Panthers, 49ers, Vikings, and now Seahawks-and somehow, he’s still standing. More than that, he’s thriving.
He becomes just the third quarterback in NFL history to start a Super Bowl after playing for four or more teams. The others? Earl Morrall, who led the Colts in Super Bowl III during his fifth stop, and Chris Chandler, who took the Falcons to the big game in 1998 after bouncing around six franchises.
But here’s the kicker: if Darnold wins on Sunday, he’ll be the first quarterback ever to hoist the Lombardi Trophy as a starter after playing for four or more different teams. That’s not just a comeback story-that’s a legacy-defining achievement.
2. First USC Quarterback to Start a Super Bowl
USC has long been a quarterback factory. Names like Carson Palmer, Rodney Peete, Matt Cassel, and most recently Caleb Williams have all made their mark in the NFL. The Trojans boast Heisman winners, first-round picks, and plenty of Sunday starters.
But none of them have done what Darnold is about to do: start in a Super Bowl.
Despite USC’s rich football history and national championships, this is a first for the program at the quarterback position. Darnold’s start adds a new chapter to the Trojans’ NFL legacy, one that’s been a long time coming.
3. First QB from the 2018 Draft Class to Reach the Super Bowl
The 2018 quarterback class has been one of the most talked-about in recent memory. Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson have become perennial MVP candidates. Baker Mayfield has had his share of ups and downs but found new life in recent seasons.
And yet, it’s Sam Darnold-once considered the most volatile of the bunch-who’s the first to reach the Super Bowl stage.
That fact alone speaks volumes about the unpredictable nature of quarterback development in the NFL. Darnold’s early career was marred by instability and inconsistency, but he’s found his footing in Seattle. Now, he’s the first from his draft class to play for the sport’s ultimate prize.
4. First QB Ever to Post Back-to-Back 14-Win Seasons with Different Teams
Only two quarterbacks in NFL history have notched back-to-back seasons with 14 or more wins: Jim McMahon in the mid-80s and Tom Brady during the Patriots’ early-2000s dynasty.
But Darnold just did something neither of them pulled off-he posted those 14-win seasons with two different teams.
Last year, he helped guide the Vikings to a 14-win campaign. This season, he did it again with the Seahawks.
No other starting quarterback has ever pulled that off in consecutive years with different franchises. It’s a testament to how far Darnold has come, not just as a player, but as a leader who can elevate the teams around him.
5. Leading the Seahawks to Their Best Regular Season Ever
The Seahawks have had their share of successful seasons-think Legion of Boom, Russell Wilson’s prime, and their Super Bowl XLVIII title run. But even during those peak years, they never hit the 14-win mark.
Until now.
With Darnold under center, Seattle just posted the best regular-season record in franchise history. That’s not just about numbers; it’s about impact. Darnold didn’t just fill a role-he transformed the offense and helped push the Seahawks to a level they’d never reached before.
And let’s not forget the context: this all came after Seattle handed him a three-year, $100.5 million deal last March. At the time, it looked like a gamble. Now, it might go down as one of the savviest moves in franchise history.
The Final Chapter?
On Sunday, Darnold won’t just be playing for a ring-he’ll be playing for a place in NFL lore. His journey from castoff to cornerstone has already defied the odds. A win in Super Bowl LX would be the ultimate exclamation point on one of the most unexpected quarterback stories the league has ever seen.
And whether you’ve followed every step of his winding road or are just now catching up, one thing’s clear: Sam Darnold isn’t just back-he’s making history.