After delivering a career-best performance with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, veteran quarterback Sam Darnold earned a lucrative multi-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks earlier this offseason.
It was clear that Darnold thoroughly enjoyed his time with the Vikings, and during a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, he reflected fondly on his one season in Minnesota.
“It was a special team to be part of,” Darnold said. “From the start, people didn’t expect much from us, but we managed to win 14 games. We took it one day at a time—that was the theme last year, and it’s been the theme of my whole journey.”
Darnold recalled the raucous locker room celebration after Minnesota’s Week 17 win over the Green Bay Packers as a standout memory, calling it “a special moment” and “something I’ll never forget.”
Now with the Seahawks, the big question is whether Darnold can replicate the success he found in Minnesota. His breakout year in 2024 was a surprise to many, especially after his rocky stints with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers led some to believe his starting days in the NFL were over.
But Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell believed in Darnold’s potential to command an offense, and he was proven right as Darnold threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, guiding the team to 14 wins.
In Seattle, Darnold will have to prove himself all over again—this time without O’Connell’s guidance. It may be difficult to match the heights of 2024, but the confidence Darnold regained last season could serve him well as he begins this new chapter with the Seahawks.