Why Sam Darnold Is the Best Story in Sports Right Now

Drew Thirion|published: Tue 27th January, 11:50 2026

Jan 3, 2026; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) reacts after the game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

Sam Darnold hadn’t been dealt a fair hand through his first eight NFL seasons. I don’t need to dump on the Jets any more than they already have, but getting drafted to New York hasn’t been a recipe for success in the NFL. He showed some signs of progress throughout his three years as a Jet, but it was more lows than highs.

Then he went to Carolina and found himself in another horrible coaching situation under Matt Rhule. He was gone in under two years, then took a backup job in San Francisco. Darnold was never in San Francisco to lead the Niners, but he took the opportunity to learn from Kyle Shanahan how to truly run an NFL-style offense.

Last season, it felt like Darnold was finally putting something together. He was 14-3 as a starter in Minnesota, but had a horrible final two games to end the season, and the doubts crept back in. The Vikings decided to roll with J.J. McCarthy this season, and many felt like that was the right move. Darnold might’ve been a flash-in-the-pan, and McCarthy was always supposed to be the future.

But Darnold proved everyone wrong this year. When the Seahawks moved on from Geno Smith, it seemed like a lateral move. In 2024, both QBs threw for 4,300 yards and had some minor turnover problems. However, Smith was heading into his age-35 season, while Darnold is still only 28. The upside for Darnold was worth the risk for Seattle, and it paid off.

With the Vikings, life was easy for Darnold, throwing to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson. He didn’t have that depth in Seattle, but he did have an elite rushing game and breakout star Jaxson Smith-Njigba.

I didn’t see this leap happening, and you’re lying to yourself if you did. Seattle was +2800 to win the NFC this year. However, just because I didn’t see it coming doesn’t mean I won’t give Sam Darnold his flowers.

He’s always come across as a likable guy who was never in the best of situations. He’s now got a great team around him and a real shot to win a Super Bowl. Not only that, but he could be back again here soon. He’s under a favorable contract in terms of quarterbacks, and he’s still pretty young. He’s only three years older than Bo Nix.

Unless you’re a rival fan of Seattle, how can you not be happy for a guy like Darnold? Disney wishes they had come up with a comeback story this sweet.