Sam Darnold’s hold on the Seahawks’ quarterback job is suddenly looking shaky, and not because Seattle has lost its way as a contender. The defending Super Bowl champs still have the kind of roster that can make another run, with an elite defense and a strong offensive duo in Kenneth Walker III and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. But the quarterback play has turned into the part of the equation that could change everything.
Darnold, who led Seattle to the Super Bowl title last season, has stumbled badly in 2026. So far, he has seven touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 41.9 QBR, production that has put his future in question less than a year after the biggest win of his career. ESPN’s Dan Graziano sees a real possibility that Seattle could eventually move on.
“I’m a bit curious about Sam Darnold’s situation, as he’ll have one year left on his contract after this season,” Graziano writes. “He is scheduled to make $35.5 million in 2027, but none of that money is guaranteed.”
That contract structure gives the Seahawks an escape hatch after the 2026 NFL season, and Graziano pointed to March 16 - when a $10 million roster bonus is due - as a date that could help shape Darnold’s future in Seattle. If the struggles continue, the team may have to decide whether to keep riding with him or reset at the position.
The alternatives would not be simple, but they are there. Graziano floated the possibility of a trade swing for a veteran such as Justin Herbert or Jalen Hurts, both of whom could be available this offseason.
Seattle could also look toward a rookie from an upcoming draft class or a free-agent option. Drew Lock remains an option, though not one the team would likely trust for an entire season, and Jalen Milroe is not ready yet.
Darnold was central to Seattle’s championship run and will always have that place in team history. But if this season keeps trending the way it has, the Seahawks may decide they’ve seen enough.
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Seahawks May Be Learning A Painful Truth About Sam Darnold
Sam Darnolds first season in Seattle has been a reminder that a quarterbacks environment can change everything. After looking far more comfortable earlier in the year, his play has slid into troubling territory, with his numbers now sitting near the bottom among qualified quarterbacks and raising fresh questions about what the Seahawks have in him moving forward.
Jason La Canfora has pointed to the kind of roster churn that can quietly reshape an offense, noting the departures of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and running back Kenneth Walker III as possible reasons for the regression. Walker, meanwhile, is thriving with the Kansas City Chiefs, who remain undefeated, which only adds to the sting for Seattle as it tries to figure out what went wrong and whether Darnold can still steady the offense. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Run Game Issue May Be Easier To Fix Than Fans Think
The Seahawks run game has been one of the quieter concerns of the season, and the numbers help explain why. Seattle sits 18th in yards per carry and 30th in EPA per rush, a rough combination for an offense that has wanted more balance. Analyst Daniel Jeremiah pointed to the injury-depleted backfield as a major reason, noting that rookie Jadarian Price is on injured reserve and the current primary backs have not provided the same burst in explosive runs.
There may be a relatively straightforward path to improvement, though, if the roster can get healthier. The possible returns of Zach Charbonnet and Price would give Seattle more options and, in theory, more juice in a ground game that has lacked it for much of the season. For a team trying to stabilize its offense, the fix might not require a scheme overhaul so much as a healthier rotation in the backfield. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Trade Idea Hinges On Whether Eagles Would Move A Star Back
Seattles running game has not looked like the same engine it was a year ago, and the absence of Kenneth Walker has become part of that conversation. CBS Sports Carter Bahns pointed to that decision as one reason the Seahawks have had more trouble getting consistent production on the ground, then floated a bigger-name fix: Saquon Barkley. It is the kind of idea that immediately grabs attention because Barkley would give the offense a proven lead back and a very different level of stability.
There is a catch, of course, and it is a significant one. Barkley is under contract through 2028, and Philadelphia has not signaled any desire to move him, but the Eagles quarterback situation could change the conversation if Jalen Hurts injuries push them toward a broader roster rethink. For Seattle, the appeal is obvious: a shot at solving a glaring need with a star who could reshape the backfield, even if the path to getting him looks complicated from the start. [Read more 🡒]