The Seattle Seahawks are embarking on a bold new chapter with Sam Darnold stepping in as the team’s starting quarterback, paired with second-year head coach Mike Macdonald. This dynamic duo is tasked with reviving a franchise hungry to return to the postseason for the first time since 2022. While the challenge is steep, facing off against more seasoned quarterback-coach tandems across the NFL, the potential for Darnold and Macdonald to make waves is undeniable.
In a recent ranking by CBS Sports writer Cody Benjamin, the Seahawks’ new quarterback-head coach pairing landed an impressive No. 7 spot among 13 new NFL duos. This ranking places them ahead of several notable teams, signaling that Seattle’s combination of youth, talent, and defensive prowess could be a sleeping giant in the league.
“Seattle made something of a lateral move, at least stylistically, by dealing Geno Smith and signing Darnold; both veterans have snappy arms and a penchant for forced throws,” Benjamin noted. “The difference is Darnold, who finally gained the authority of a former top-three pick in Minnesota’s cozy surroundings, is younger and slightly cheaper. He did fold under the lights to close 2024, so hopefully Seattle’s front can support him as well as Macdonald’s defense.”
The six pairings ranked above Seattle include high-profile names like Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel (New England Patriots), Trevor Lawrence and Liam Coen (Jacksonville Jaguars), Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson (Chicago Bears), J.J. McCarthy and Kevin O’Connell (Minnesota Vikings), Dak Prescott and Brian Schottenheimer (Dallas Cowboys), and, notably, Geno Smith and Pete Carroll (Las Vegas Raiders). While Smith and Carroll are considered a “new” pairing, their prior success together in Seattle—where they reached the playoffs—sets a high bar for what Darnold and Macdonald aim to achieve.
For Darnold, this is a chance to build on the promise he showed in Minnesota, where he finally harnessed his potential as a former top-three draft pick. Macdonald, known for his defensive acumen, will need to leverage Seattle’s front to provide Darnold with the support needed to thrive under pressure. If the duo can gel quickly, the Seahawks could surprise the NFL and make a strong case for a playoff return in 2025.
With a talented roster and a hungry fanbase, Seattle’s new era under Darnold and Macdonald is brimming with potential. Could this be the spark that awakens the sleeping giant in the Pacific Northwest? Only time will tell, but their No. 7 ranking suggests the Seahawks are closer to contention than many might think.