Sam Darnold Wins Super Bowl 60-And Takes a $71K Tax Hit for It
Sam Darnold just led the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl 60 title, a crowning moment in a career that’s taken more than a few twists and turns. But while the confetti’s still settling, Darnold’s bank account is already feeling the aftershock of California’s infamous “jock tax.”
Here’s the deal: NFL players on the winning team receive a $178,000 bonus for hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. But because Super Bowl 60 was played in Santa Clara, California, Darnold is now subject to the state’s athlete income tax laws-regardless of the fact that he plays for a team based in income tax-free Washington.
According to Sportico, Darnold is set to pay around $249,000 in taxes tied to his Super Bowl appearance. Yes, you read that right. That means he’s actually losing $71,000 for winning the biggest game of his life.
It’s a jarring stat, and NFL fans aren’t taking it lightly.
Social media lit up with reactions ranging from disbelief to outrage. One fan called for the NFL to stop hosting Super Bowls in California altogether, while another suggested players should avoid practicing in the state entirely-just fly in for the game and get out. Others pointed fingers at the league, accusing it of prioritizing revenue over player compensation.
And with Super Bowl 61 already scheduled for SoFi Stadium in Inglewood next year, the topic isn’t going away anytime soon. California’s tax laws aren’t changing overnight, and unless the NFL makes a major scheduling shift, players might continue to see their championship bonuses take a hit.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t going to break Sam Darnold. The Seahawks quarterback signed a three-year, $100.5 million deal last offseason. Add in his earlier contracts-including a $30.2 million rookie deal with the Jets and a $10 million stint with the Vikings-and the $71K loss is more of a frustrating footnote than a financial crisis.
Still, it’s a head-scratcher. How does a player win the Super Bowl and come out of it with a negative balance on his bonus check?
This moment also puts Darnold’s journey into perspective. Drafted third overall by the Jets in 2018, he was part of a stacked QB class that included Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Baker Mayfield. While those names have had their moments, it’s Darnold who now stands alone as the first Super Bowl champion of the bunch.
His early years in New York and Carolina were rocky-plagued by inconsistent rosters and coaching turnover. He showed flashes in Minnesota, leading the Vikings to a 14-3 season in 2024, but the team chose to move forward with rookie JJ McCarthy instead of committing to Darnold long-term.
Seattle saw something different. They made the investment, gave him the reins, and Darnold delivered. Now, he’s not just a reclamation project-he’s a Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
Meanwhile, the Vikings are reportedly considering a reunion with Kirk Cousins to push McCarthy. That’s their story now. Darnold’s is a little shinier.
Tax bill or not, Sam Darnold just did what every quarterback dreams of-he led his team to the mountaintop. And while the state of California may have taken a chunk out of his bonus, it can’t touch the ring on his finger.