Sam Darnold’s road from the Jets to a championship in Seattle was long enough to sound made up. As the Seahawks defend their title in 2026, the question has changed: What can they build with him now?
Sam Darnold does not have to win an argument about whether he could lead a team to a Super Bowl. He already did it.
In February, Seattle beat New England 29–13 in Super Bowl LX. Darnold threw for 202 yards and a touchdown without an interception. He was not the game’s MVP; Kenneth Walker III earned that honor with 135 rushing yards. Seattle’s defense held the Patriots scoreless through three quarters and sacked Drake Maye six times. Darnold’s job was to protect the ball, keep the offense moving and finish the chances his teammates created. He did.
That distinction matters when telling his story. Darnold did not drag an overmatched roster to a title by himself. He joined a good team, played his part in making it better and delivered in the postseason. For a quarterback whose career had been defined by questions about whether he could do exactly that, it was a remarkable turn.
The climb started well before Seattle. The Jets selected Darnold third overall in 2018, but he never became the answer they hoped for. Carolina did not become a permanent home, either. He spent 2023 backing up Brock Purdy in San Francisco, then got another chance to start with Minnesota in 2024. Darnold helped the Vikings finish 14–3, only for a difficult season finale and playoff loss to leave the same doubts hanging over him. Seattle signed him the following spring.
He answered those doubts with a 14–3 regular season, an NFC West title and the conference’s top seed. His biggest passing performance came before the Super Bowl: 346 yards and three touchdowns in a 31–27 NFC Championship win over the Rams. In the Super Bowl, Seattle needed something different from him. Darnold went through all three playoff games without throwing an interception and left Santa Clara with a ring.
For Seahawks fans, the opponent made the result personal. New England had beaten Seattle in Super Bowl XLIX eleven years earlier. Respect My Region’s Super Bowl LX recap captured what the rematch meant to the 12s: a second franchise title and, finally, a different ending against the Patriots.
A New Season, and a New Test
The title settled one question about Darnold. It did not make the 2026 season automatic.
Seattle opened its championship defense with another win over New England, but Darnold left that game on the opening possession with a glute injury. Drew Lock took over, and the Seahawks rallied to win 13–10. RMR’s account of the opener showed how much Seattle could still get from its defense and depth when its starting quarterback was unavailable.
Now Darnold is set to return. The Seahawks said Friday that he was ready to play, and the NFL reported that he carries no injury designation for Sunday’s game against Washington. It is his first opportunity to get back on the field after watching Seattle win without him.
The broader question is how Seattle’s offense develops around him. The Seahawks proved in February that they can win a championship with defense, field position and careful quarterback play. Their NFC title win over Los Angeles also proved Darnold can take on a larger role when the matchup demands it. A repeat bid will likely ask for both versions at different points of the season.
Where the Sportsbooks See Seattle
The futures market gives that repeat bid some context. BetMGM’s Super Bowl LXI market lists Seattle among its contenders, alongside teams including the Rams, Bills, Ravens and 49ers. FanDuel Sportsbook’s early 2027 Super Bowl outlook also placed the defending champions near the front of the field. Those are snapshots of expectations, not forecasts of what Darnold or the Seahawks will do from here; futures prices can change with injuries, results and betting activity. (BetMGM)
RMR’s early 2026 NFL power rankings put Seattle at No. 1 after the opener. It was a judgment about the whole team, particularly the defense that kept it in the Patriots game. Darnold’s return gives Seattle a chance to show what that team looks like with its starting quarterback back in control.
There is no need to invent another redemption story for him. Darnold went from a former top-three pick looking for somewhere to stick to the quarterback of a Super Bowl champion. That happened. What comes next is more interesting than arguing over whether he deserved the ring.
The Seahawks know he can help them reach the top. Starting Sunday, they get another look at how far he can take them while everyone else is chasing it.
Sportsbook markets are included for news and analysis, not as a betting recommendation. Odds change and availability varies by location. If you choose to wager, use a licensed operator where sports betting is legal, meet the applicable age requirement and bet only what you can afford to lose. If gambling is causing problems, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.
