From Castoff to Contender: Sam Darnold’s Stunning Resurgence Has Seattle Soaring into Super Bowl LX
There was a time not long ago when Sam Darnold’s name came up more in conversations about “what went wrong” than “what’s next.” A former top-three pick who never quite found his footing through six rocky NFL seasons, Darnold looked like another cautionary tale of talent lost to instability.
But now? He’s the starting quarterback for the NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks - and he’s got them one win away from a Super Bowl title.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a feel-good story. This is one of the most dramatic quarterback turnarounds we’ve seen in the modern NFL.
The numbers back it up in bold ink. After throwing just 63 touchdown passes from 2018 to 2023 - a stretch defined by coaching changes, system overhauls, and a carousel of offensive line issues - Darnold has flipped the script in stunning fashion.
Over the last two seasons, split between the Minnesota Vikings and now the Seahawks, Darnold has tossed 60 touchdown passes and piled up more than 8,300 passing yards. That’s nearly identical to what he produced in his first six years combined - and he’s done it in just 34 games.
It started with a breakout campaign in Minnesota, where he threw for 35 touchdowns and finally looked like the quarterback scouts once envisioned. But it was his move to Seattle that solidified the transformation. In 2025, his first year with the Seahawks, Darnold added 25 more touchdowns to his tally and, more importantly, found a rhythm in a system that played to his strengths.
And that rhythm reached a crescendo last Sunday in the NFC Championship Game. Facing a tough Rams defense, Darnold delivered a poised, three-touchdown performance to lead Seattle back to the Super Bowl. It wasn’t flashy, but it was efficient, confident, and composed - three traits that had eluded him for much of his early career.
So what changed?
It’s not just about stats - it’s about stability. For the first time, Darnold is in a situation where the pieces around him are consistent, the coaching staff believes in him, and the playbook isn’t a moving target. That kind of structure matters, especially for a quarterback whose early career was defined by chaos.
Seattle’s system has given Darnold the tools and trust to operate with confidence. And he’s responded by playing the best football of his life - not just managing games, but winning them.
He’s reading defenses quicker, making better decisions under pressure, and showing command at the line of scrimmage. This isn’t a quarterback being carried by his team.
This is a quarterback leading his team.
The Seahawks now head into Super Bowl LX with a signal-caller who was once left for dead in the NFL conversation - and now stands at the heart of one of the league’s most compelling comeback stories. If Darnold can cap this run with a championship, it won’t just be a redemption arc. It’ll be one of the most improbable quarterback revivals in NFL history.
Sam Darnold's resurgence needs to be studied 🔥
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) January 31, 2026
Nearly as many passing TDs in his last 2 seasons as he had in his first 6 seasons 🤯#NFL | #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/aOR67jaBss
From a cautionary tale to a Super Bowl starter, Sam Darnold’s journey reminds us that sometimes, all a player needs is the right place, the right time, and the right belief. Seattle gave him that - and now, they're one win away from the ultimate payoff.