Sam Darnold’s Hot Start Has Seahawks Looking Like NFC West Contenders

The Seattle Seahawks’ offseason shopping spree at Sam’s Club seems to be setting up as a success.

The Seahawks traded in 35-year-old quarterback Geno Smith, dealing him to Las Vegas, and signed free agent Sam Darnold to a three-year contract that could be worth up to $100.5 million.

Darnold, 28, has the NFL’s highest quarterback grade from Pro Football Focus at 91.9 as the Seahawks (2-1) enter Thursday night’s NFC West matchup against the Arizona Cardinals (2-1) in Glendale, Ariz.

“He's being efficient, decisive, accurate, tough, extending plays when he needs to," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said of Darnold. "Being aggressive when he needs to, taking care of the ball when he needs to. So, let's keep it rolling.”

Perhaps unsure if they were getting the Darnold who struggled through his first six NFL seasons after being the third overall pick in 2018 out of USC or the one who broke out last year when leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 14-3 record, passing for 4,319 yards and 35 TDs, the Seahawks took out an extended warranty, drafting Jalen Milroe out of Alabama in the third round.

Some in Seattle drew comparisons to 2012, when the Seahawks signed Matt Flynn to a free-agent deal only to select Russell Wilson in the third round and watch the rookie earn the starting job.

But consider Flynn had two previous NFL starts back then and Darnold entered this season with 73.

After failing to gain much traction in a season-opening 17-13 loss to San Francisco, Darnold has settled in. He led the Seahawks to a 31-17 victory at Pittsburgh and a 44-13 rout of visiting New Orleans.

Darnold is completing 70.3% of his passes, his average of 9.0 yards per attempt ranks third in the league, and he’s only been sacked three times.

“He’s steady, man,” Seahawks receiver Cooper Kupp said. “… There’s no flinch from him. Whether it was highs when we were rolling (or) when we were trying to find some momentum, it’s the same guy.”

While Seattle’s running game hasn’t yet fully blossomed, Darnold has adapted well to new coordinator Klint Kubiak’s system.

The Seahawks have scored touchdowns on their opening drives in each of the past two weeks, something they had failed to do in the previous 22 games.

“It’s huge. Just the preparation that we put in throughout the week, that’s how you want to start the game,” Darnold said. “You go through your openers and you go through certain things that you want to do against their defense.

“You know, sometimes, especially early in the season, you’re not necessarily sure exactly what you’re going to get from their defense. I feel like our guys did a really good job of executing no matter what the circumstances were, even if it was a different look than what we practiced. I thought just execution was at a high level (Sunday).”

Not even a short week before a trip to Arizona seemed to sway Darnold.

“They are tough to prepare for,” Darnold admitted. “But we are excited for the challenge on a short week.”

Just as excited as the Seahawks with their shopping spree.