SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Sam Darnold didn’t need to play a starring role to pen the final chapter in one of the greatest redemption stories in NFL history on Sunday night.
Darnold completed 19 of 38 yards with a touchdown and did not turn the ball over in Seattle’s 29-13 victory over New England in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. He didn’t win Most Valuable Player honors — those went to running back Kenneth Walker III. And truth be told, he missed a few open receivers that could have help the Seahawks pull away earlier in the game.
But Darnold also led an efficient offense that steadily applied more pressure on a Patriots offense besieged by the Seahawks’ relentless defense. He also did not turn the ball over, completing a three-game postseason run without a pick after tossing 14 during the regular season.
A former first-round pick previously cast aside by the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, Darnold is now a Super Bowl champion, playing for his fifth team in eight seasons. And while he wasn’t the Super Bowl hero, he was most definitely a major driving force in Seattle’s journey to the franchise’s second world championship.
“My teammates and my coaches, they believed in me ever since the beginning of OTAs, training camp,” Darnold said in what gave him the belief that the Seahawks had championship potential. “That was our mindset. Every single day we came to work.”
Following three seasons with the Jets and two with the Panthers, Darnold latched on with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023 as Brock Purdy’s backup. It was ironically playing with the 49ers in the stadium of Sunday night’s ultimate triumph that began Darnold’s resurrection from being viewed as one of the biggest busts in NFL draft history.
He only threw 46 passes that season, but showed enough growth under 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan that the Minnesota Vikings signed him in 2024. When J.J. McCarthy went down to a torn ACL before the season started, Darnold guided the Vikings to a 14-3 regular-season record.
However, a disastrous playoff performance contributed to Minnesota deciding not to re-sign Darnold in the offseason. The Seahawks signed Darnold to a three-year deal worth more than $100 million to replace Geno Smith, beginning a relationship that ultimately led to an NFC West title, home-field advantage and a Super Bowl title.
Darnold was consistently under pressure when he dropped back on Sunday night. The Patriots’ blitz-heavy gameplan only resulted in one sack, but Darnold was constantly on the move. So, Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak responded with a run-heavy attack that led to Walker ripping off 135 yards on 27 carries.
Darnold’s lone touchdown pass came on a throw to tight end K.J. Barner in the fourth quarter — a few possessions after All-Pro wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba went to the locker room to be evaluated for a potential concussion. So, Darnold turned to Barner and veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp to finally reach the end zone after two previous trips to the red zone resulted in field goals.
Darnold finished the game with 202 passing yards and the touchdown for a modest 74.7 passer rating. But he also left Levi’s Stadium as a Super Bowl champion, with his status forever etched in Seahawks history.
Darnold’s thoughts when he saw the blue and green confetti falling down following the final whistle?
“We did it,” he said. “That was it. It’s been such a special journey with these guys. So much hard work that’s been poured into this, and that’s it.
“It’s just a job well done. “
