Sam Darnold, the former USC Trojans quarterback, has been handed the keys to the Seattle Seahawks’ offense for the 2025 season. Coming off a career-defining year with the Minnesota Vikings, where he shattered franchise and NFL records, Darnold inked a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seahawks. Named a 2024 Pro Bowler and earning MVP and Comeback Player of the Year votes, Darnold has transformed from a presumed NFL bust into a legitimate starting quarterback. Yet, as he steps into the spotlight in Seattle, the expectations—and the risks—are higher than ever.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) analyst Max Chadwick recently named Darnold the X-factor for the Seahawks in a 2025 season preview, a nod to his potential to make or break the team’s fortunes. “After the best season of his career in Minnesota, Sam Darnold heads to Seattle to take over the starting quarterback job from fellow ex-Jet Geno Smith,” Chadwick noted. “Darnold’s 77.5 PFF passing grade in 2024 tied him for 11th among qualified quarterbacks. His 88.5 play-action PFF passing grade, a top-five mark in the league, should be to the liking of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.”
However, Chadwick also sounded a note of caution: “If Darnold is protected, which is a major question mark in his new situation, he could have another solid season. If he isn’t, things could more often look like his final two games of 2024, in which he posted sub-50.0 PFF passing grades.” This dichotomy underscores the gamble Seattle is taking. Darnold’s success hinges on an offensive line that remains a question mark, and without adequate protection, his performance could falter.
The Seahawks’ offensive arsenal, while not boasting a superstar like Minnesota’s All-Pro Justin Jefferson, is still formidable. Wide receivers Jaxson Smith-Njigba, All-Pro Cooper Kupp, and veteran Marquez Valdez-Scantling form a dynamic trio, complemented by tight ends Noah Fant and rookie Elijah Arroyo, both projected as viable pass-catching threats. Running back Kenneth Walker III anchors a talented backfield, giving Darnold a balanced supporting cast. Yet, talent alone won’t guarantee success—Darnold must deliver consistently to elevate this group.
Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is optimistic about Darnold’s fit. “Sam’s extremely talented,” Kubiak said. “Obviously a great thrower of the football. His mobility sticks out, his toughness, his maturity. The thing about Sam that really sticks out is just he’s an A-plus teammate. Elevates those around him. The guys he plays with respect him because when your best players are your hardest workers, that’s what you really strive for, and that’s what you want as a coach, and Sam has that in spades.”
Darnold’s journey to this point has been anything but smooth. Once labeled a draft bust, he’s navigated countless challenges to earn this opportunity. Now, as Seattle’s starting quarterback, he carries the weight of a franchise’s playoff aspirations. Being named the team’s X-factor is both an honor and a burden—it signals belief in his potential but also the immense pressure to perform. If Darnold can replicate his 2024 success, the Seahawks could be playoff contenders. Even if he’s merely above average, his consistency could lead to a successful season. But if he stumbles, the harsh truth is that this $100.5 million gamble could define his NFL legacy—for better or worse.