The Seattle Seahawks have secured a new quarterback, reaching an agreement on a three-year contract worth $100.5 million with Sam Darnold. A source familiar with the details shared this information on Monday but requested anonymity due to league rules, as teams are not permitted to sign free agents before Wednesday. Of the contract, $55 million is guaranteed for Darnold, who is set to earn $37.5 million in 2025.
In his single season with Minnesota, Darnold demonstrated remarkable progress, amassing 4,319 passing yards and achieving 35 touchdowns alongside a passer rating of 102.5. His performance was instrumental in leading the Vikings to 14 victories. Originally drafted third overall by the New York Jets in 2018, Darnold faced challenges during his early career, struggling over three seasons with the Jets and two with Carolina. His passer rating of 78.2 ranked as the third worst among 53 quarterbacks with at least 500 attempts.
However, the 27-year-old Darnold has since rejuvenated his professional trajectory. Serving as a backup in San Francisco throughout the 2023 season, he tapped into his full potential for a significant portion of the season. His 12 games in which he had multiple touchdown passes and a passer rating exceeding 100 put him in notable company, falling just behind record-setting MVP seasons by Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes.
Despite Darnold’s strong season, he closed the year with underwhelming performances in critical games. In a Week 18 contest against Detroit and a subsequent wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams, he went 18-for-41 for 166 yards without any touchdowns in a 31-9 defeat at Detroit, followed by 245 yards passing and two turnovers during a 27-9 loss to the Rams. These shortcomings led the Vikings to release Darnold, opting instead to give a chance to J.J. McCarthy, a recent high draft pick.
The Seahawks’ acquisition of Darnold aligns with broader changes for the team. Days earlier, they arranged to send Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round draft pick due to failed contract extension negotiations. Seattle also shook up their receiving core, agreeing to trade D.K. Metcalf to Pittsburgh and parting ways with Tyler Lockett. These roster moves await finalization, which will occur on Wednesday.
Seattle’s sudden revamp follows a 10-7 season under coach Mike Macdonald, which ended without a playoff berth. Notably, the Seahawks have captured only one playoff victory in the last eight years, a win against Philadelphia in 2019. With aspirations to rekindle their former Super Bowl-contending status from earlier in Pete Carroll’s coaching tenure, the Seahawks hope Darnold will be pivotal to their competitive resurgence.
On Monday, the Seahawks also made strides in retaining and bolstering their defensive and offensive lines. Jarran Reed, a free agent, accepted a multi-year deal to continue as their defensive tackle. Additionally, the team agreed on a one-year contract with offensive lineman Josh Jones, with the deal valued up to $4.75 million. Reed, a seasoned veteran at 32 years old, has notched 38 1/2 sacks in nine seasons across stints with Seattle, Kansas City, and Green Bay. As a versatile lineman, Jones—a former third-round pick by Arizona—brings the capability to cover both tackle and guard positions.