Sam Darnold Silences Doubters as Seahawks Punch Ticket to Super Bowl LX
Sometimes, the best stories in football are the ones nobody saw coming. Sam Darnold’s resurgence in Seattle isn’t just a feel-good headline-it’s the driving force behind the Seahawks’ march to Super Bowl LX.
Seattle punched its ticket to the big game with a 31-27 win over the Rams in the NFC Championship, a game where Darnold looked every bit the franchise quarterback. Three touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a calm command of the offense against one of the league’s most disruptive defenses? That’s not just redemption-it’s a full-blown renaissance.
But this moment didn’t come without its share of skepticism. Back in March 2025, the Seahawks made the bold move to trade away Geno Smith and hand the reins to Darnold, signing him to a three-year, $100.5 million deal.
The reaction was swift and loud-critics questioned the logic of moving on from Smith, who had revitalized his career in Seattle. One of the more vocal skeptics?
ESPN’s Mina Kimes, a known Seahawks supporter, who called the move “terrible” and doubted the team’s ability to upgrade at quarterback.
Fast forward to now, and Darnold has guided Seattle to a 14-3 regular season, secured the NFC’s top seed, and outdueled the Rams for a trip to Santa Clara. Meanwhile, Smith’s season in Las Vegas couldn’t have gone much worse.
Reuniting with Pete Carroll in Vegas, Smith signed a $75 million extension with the Raiders. But the reunion quickly turned sour.
The Raiders stumbled to a 3-14 finish, with Smith throwing 17 interceptions and the offense unable to find any rhythm. Carroll was let go, and the Raiders now hold the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft-widely expected to be used on Indiana’s national champion quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
It’s a tough ending for Smith, whose career resurgence in Seattle once looked like one of the league’s best comeback stories.
For Darnold, though, this is a new chapter entirely. Written off as a bust after his rocky start with the Jets in 2018, the 28-year-old has found new life in Seattle. Sunday’s performance wasn’t just about stats-it was about leadership, poise, and execution at the highest level.
His connection with breakout star Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been electric all season, and it was on full display against the Rams. Smith-Njigba, who shattered the franchise record with 1,793 receiving yards this year, was a nightmare for defenders all night. The chemistry between the two has been one of the defining elements of Seattle’s offense.
After the game, head coach Mike Macdonald summed it up perfectly: “You can’t talk about the game without talking about our quarterback. I mean, he just shut a lot of people up tonight, so I’m really happy for him.”
And that includes critics like Kimes, who didn’t shy away from owning her preseason take. When a fan called her out online for her March comments, she responded candidly: “I did, and have said I was wrong a bunch!
Also discussed on my pod a lot. Part of the job is trying to understand why you’re wrong so you can get better, imo.”
Later, she posted what many Seahawks fans were feeling: “Man…I’m just really freakin happy for Sam Darnold. We were in Arizona for his loss to the Rams last year-to go from that to this, and from castoff to the Super Bowl. What an incredible journey.”
Indeed, it’s been a remarkable turnaround. Darnold’s story is no longer about unmet expectations-it’s about perseverance, growth, and proving that sometimes, all a quarterback needs is the right system, the right support, and a second chance.
Now, he’s got one more challenge ahead: a date with the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on February 8 in Santa Clara. With the way Darnold and the Seahawks are playing, they’re not just showing up-they’re showing out.