The Seattle Seahawks have found their next starting quarterback. Veteran signal-caller Sam Darnold has agreed to a three-year, $100.5 million contract, sources confirmed Wednesday. The deal includes $65 million guaranteed, signaling Seattle’s commitment to making Darnold their franchise QB.
Darnold, 26, joins the Seahawks after spending the 2023 season as Brock Purdy’s backup with the San Francisco 49ers. While he played sparingly, Seahawks brass clearly saw enough to believe he can lead the team moving forward
This signing officially marks the end of Geno Smith’s tenure in Seattle. The Seahawks had been exploring potential moves at quarterback after an inconsistent 2023 campaign from Smith. Now, with Darnold in the fold, the franchise hopes to stabilize the position under new head coach Mike Macdonald.
Darnold, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, has had an up-and-down career. After struggling with the New York Jets, he showed flashes of improvement with the Carolina Panthers in 2022 before joining the 49ers as a backup. Despite his journeyman status, his talent has never been in question.
Seattle’s belief in Darnold likely stems from their confidence in offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who will look to maximize the former USC star’s skill set. Darnold’s ability to push the ball downfield should mesh well with star wideouts DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The contract’s $33.5 million average annual value (AAV) places Darnold among the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league—a bold move for a player with just 56 career starts. However, the Seahawks are betting that a fresh start in their system will unlock his full potential.
Seattle now turns its attention to free agency and the NFL Draft, where they’ll look to bolster the offensive line and defense to support their new quarterback.
For Darnold, this deal represents a career-defining opportunity. Now, it’s up to him to prove he can finally live up to his first-round billing.
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