Seahawks’ QB Gamble Pays Off as Darnold Leads Return to Playoffs

The Seattle Seahawks have made it back to the playoffs, a return to postseason football that hinged on one of the most significant roster decisions in franchise history. Ten months ago, the team made the bold choice to trade away their starting quarterback and replace him with a player many had written off as a bust. That gamble appears to have worked.

The story began in March when the Seahawks sent Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a third-round draft pick. Days later, they signed Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million contract with $55 million guaranteed. At the time, few expected this move would lead to a playoff run. Darnold had spent years struggling with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers before finding unexpected success last season with the Minnesota Vikings.

Background

Geno Smith's departure from Seattle was not a sudden decision. The quarterback and the Seahawks had been at odds over contract negotiations throughout 2024. When Smith entered the final year of his existing deal, the team made it clear they were not interested in a long-term extension. The front office had grown skeptical about Smith's consistency and whether he could be the answer for a franchise that had won just one playoff game in eight seasons.

Smith's time in Seattle had been marked by flashes of competence mixed with stretches of poor play. He had been the team's starter for three seasons, but the Seahawks finished 10-7 under new head coach Mike Macdonald in his first year and missed the playoffs entirely. That performance sealed Smith's fate. Rather than pay him more money, the team decided to move on.

The decision to bring in Darnold seemed like a last resort at the time. Darnold was drafted third overall by the Jets in 2018 and had become a cautionary tale about high draft picks gone wrong. His three seasons in New York were marked by inconsistency and poor decision-making. He then spent two years with the Panthers, where he continued to struggle. By the time he signed with the Vikings in 2024 as a backup option, many assumed his NFL career was winding down.

Key Details

The Unexpected Turnaround

What happened next shocked the league. Darnold had an outstanding season in Minnesota, throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns while posting a 102.5 passer rating. He led the Vikings to 14 wins and earned his first Pro Bowl invitation. For much of the season, he played at an elite level, with 12 games featuring multiple touchdown passes and a passer rating above 100.

However, Darnold's performance deteriorated down the stretch. His final two starts of the regular season were disastrous, with the Vikings losing to the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams by a combined score of 58-18. Those performances raised questions about whether he could sustain his success in critical moments.

Despite those concerns, the Seahawks saw what they needed. Darnold's movement skills and ability to throw on the run fit perfectly with the system that new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak wanted to run. Kubiak had worked with Darnold briefly when both were with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023. The Seahawks also learned that Minnesota coach Kevin O'Connell personally vouched for Darnold's abilities and character.

"We made the trade and we were able to get the guy at the top of the list," Seahawks general manager John Schneider said of the decision to pursue Darnold.

The contract itself was structured to give Seattle flexibility. The deal paid Darnold $37.5 million in the first year, allowing the team to exit after one season if things did not work out. The second year carried a $27.5 million salary with injury protections, while the third year was non-guaranteed at $35.5 million.

A Wider Overhaul

The Darnold signing was part of a larger reorganization of Seattle's offense. The team released veteran receiver Tyler Lockett and traded star receiver DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers. These moves signaled that the Seahawks were willing to completely rebuild their roster around a new vision.

What This Means

The Seahawks' return to the playoffs validates the front office's risky decision to bet on Darnold. In an NFL where quarterback success is often unpredictable, the team took a chance on a player with a troubled past and it paid off. Whether Darnold can sustain this success through a playoff run remains to be seen, but the initial gamble has proven sound.

For Darnold personally, this represents a remarkable career resurrection. From being viewed as a draft bust to signing a nine-figure contract and leading a team back to the postseason in a single year is a remarkable turnaround. The question now is whether he can maintain the level of play that brought him here, or if his late-season struggles in Minnesota will resurface when the stakes are highest.

The Seahawks will be hoping their investment in Darnold continues to pay dividends. After years of playoff disappointment, the team has a chance to make a real playoff run with their new quarterback at the helm.