Sam Darnold’s contract details: salary and years left with the Seahawks
Quarterback Sam Darnold is off to a good start in his first year with the Seahawks and they’re hoping he can keep it up after signing him to a 3-year deal.
Through three games as the Seahawks’ quarterback, Sam Darnold is showing promise. After a shaky debut against the 49ers, he’s improved significantly, ranking seventh in completion percentage, third in yards per attempt, and boasting a remarkably low sack rate (just three total, none against the Saints).
After a breakout season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, Seattle signed Darnold in March, and while he’s having a decent start, there are still some questions of whether or not he can keep it up. The Seahawks had confidence in him, though, signing him to a three-year deal.
Sam Darnold’s contract details with the Seahawks
The Vikings only signed Darnold to a one-year deal in 2024, but he ended up having a much better season than expected. He ended with 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, a 102.9 passer rating, and even MVP votes. But at the same time, his poor performances in the season finale against Detroit and a playoff loss to the Rams revived old concerns about his inconsistency and turnover history from his Jets and Panthers days.
Signed initially as a stopgap for rookie J.J. McCarthy, Darnold played all year after McCarthy’s injury, but those last two games cast doubt on how much of his breakout season can be trusted.
The Seahawks, having traded Geno Smith, signed Darnold (age 28) to be their starter, betting on his strong season in Minnesota despite his poor finish. For Darnold, it’s a fresh start without the pressure of McCarthy behind him; for Seattle, it’s a risky but higher-upside move aimed at staying playoff-competitive.
Still, the Seahawks showed faith, signing Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal with $55 million guaranteed. He’s in Seattle through the 2027 season, and he’s off to a good start. Now, he just has to prove he can maintain this level of play through to the postseaosn.
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