Sam Darnold’s Redemption Arc Reaches the Super Bowl Stage
Sam Darnold is heading to the Super Bowl. Yes, that Sam Darnold - the former No. 3 overall pick who was once written off as a bust after a rocky start with the New York Jets. Now, in his first season as the Seattle Seahawks’ starting quarterback, he’s not only revitalized his career - he’s led his team to the biggest stage in football.
Darnold’s journey has been anything but linear. After earning his first Pro Bowl nod last year with the Minnesota Vikings, he’s taken yet another step forward in Seattle, guiding a balanced, resilient Seahawks squad all the way to Super Bowl LX. They punched their ticket with a hard-fought win over the Los Angeles Rams, a game that showcased both Darnold’s poise under pressure and Seattle’s ability to grind out wins when it matters most.
Now, the Seahawks will face off against the New England Patriots, led by rookie sensation Drake Maye, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. It’s a matchup few could’ve predicted at the start of the season - and one that sets the stage for a compelling quarterback showdown between a redemption story and a rising star.
RGIII Weighs In - and Stirs the Pot
Darnold’s improbable rise hasn’t gone unnoticed. Former NFL quarterback and current analyst Robert Griffin III took to social media to highlight just how significant this moment is - and in doing so, he stirred up a bit of quarterback discourse.
“Sam Darnold made it to a Super Bowl before Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, Dak Prescott, Baker Mayfield and Trevor Lawrence,” Griffin posted on X (formerly Twitter).
It’s a statement that’s equal parts praise and provocation. Allen is the reigning league MVP.
Jackson has two MVPs to his name. Herbert is widely regarded as one of the most talented passers in the league.
Prescott has been in the MVP conversation before, and both Mayfield and Lawrence were top overall picks expected to carry franchises. Yet here’s Darnold - once seen as a cautionary tale - beating them all to the Super Bowl.
Griffin, who knows a thing or two about the pressure of early expectations, had a promising start to his own career before injuries derailed his trajectory. Now a broadcaster, his perspective carries weight - especially when it comes to quarterbacks trying to rewrite their narratives.
From Bust Label to Super Bowl QB
Let’s be clear: Darnold didn’t just land in Seattle and ride a great defense to the Super Bowl. He’s played some of the best football of his career this season.
He’s looked confident, decisive, and - perhaps most importantly - composed. The raw talent was always there, but now it’s being paired with experience, better decision-making, and a system that plays to his strengths.
Seattle, for its part, has built a team that complements Darnold well. They’ve got a strong run game, a physical defense, and a coaching staff that’s leaned into what Darnold does best - play-action, quick reads, and the occasional deep shot to keep defenses honest.
The result? A quarterback who once seemed destined to fade into the background is now 60 minutes away from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
The Road Ahead
The challenge ahead is steep. The Patriots, led by Maye, are no fluke.
They’ve been one of the most complete teams in the league this season, and their defense has a knack for making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. But Darnold and the Seahawks have already silenced plenty of doubters this year - and they’re not done yet.
Whether or not Darnold wins it all, his 2025-26 campaign is already one of the most remarkable comeback stories in recent NFL history. From the brink of irrelevance to the brink of a championship, he’s proven that sometimes, all a player needs is the right situation - and a second chance.
Super Bowl LX is set. Darnold vs.
Maye. Seahawks vs.
Patriots. And a quarterback redemption story that no one saw coming - but everyone will be watching.