Sam Darnold

Sam Darnold has had an active career in the National Football League (NFL) since his selection as a third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. Darnold's journey within the league has seen him play for numerous teams including the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, and now, the Seattle Seahawks. His achievements in the league are noteworthy; he led the Minnesota Vikings to the playoffs in 2024 and the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl LX. He has been selected twice for the Pro Bowl in 2024 and 2025, and his career NFL statistics up to 2025 include 20,431 passing yards and 123 touchdowns.

Throughout his career, Darnold has demonstrated his value as a player on multiple occasions. His abilities were recognized early on in his career, when he received awards such as the Archie Griffin Award in 2017 and was named to the Football Writers Association of America's Freshman All-America team. His performance in the 2017 Pac-12 Conference championship game earned him the title of MVP, and he set Rose Bowl records for passing touchdowns and total yards in the same game. Darnold's career has also seen its share of challenges, including contract negotiations and injuries, all of which he has navigated to remain a key player in the league.

In his more recent years, Darnold has continued to make his mark in the NFL. After signing a one-year, $10 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings in March 2024, he was named the starting quarterback and an offensive captain, leading the team to a 14–2 record in his first season. His performance earned him the title of NFC Offensive Player of the Month in September 2024 and a nomination for the AP Comeback Player of the Year award. In 2025, Darnold signed a three-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks, where he secured the number 1 seed in the NFC for Seattle and led the team to Super Bowl LX in his first season as a starter.