Sam seems like an ideal QB in many ways. He's able to generate big offensive numbers when necessary, but doesn't seem to mind playing "game manager" if that's what gets a win. I want a game winner, not stat freak and he fits that bill.
I still think K9 is the most important Hawk free agent. He outperformed every RB in playoffs and probably any single offensive player, period. That was after a solid season where he trailed only JSN in total yards (he was the Hawks 4th leading receiver). The NFL just doesn't value RBs so he's likely take the largest contract he can get since this is probably his one chance, and more power to him! I'm still more comfortable giving him $12-14 million/year than giving JSN $40 million/year.
Winning the Super Bowl is extraordinarily difficult, so while it's fun to wonder how many Super Bowls Sam and/or the Seahawks will win in the next 10 years, predicting it is a crap shoot. Just talk to Josh Allen. I would love for Sam to win 3 more (with the Seahawks) over the next 5 years. That'd be great! But who knows.
And has the narrative really changed? Are people really just thinking 'Sam Darnold didn't LOSE the Super Bowl for the Seahawks' ??? Not that I care, but it is hard to change narratives.
I'm delighted he's our QB, and look forward to next year, and more success. 14 wins? No idea. Super Bowl win? Maybe? There are so many variables it's hard to know anything with certainty. The only thing I'm sure about is that we just won the Super Bowl, and that the team will be strong again next year. Then we need to play a Super Bowl winning teams schedule, get in the playoffs, and play tough team after tough team to get back to the Lombardi. As I said, extraordinarily difficult.
It would be awesome if Sam could get more than 2 SB wins. 3 would be awesome and 4 would be HOF. I think in the current era of free agency that we would need a top defense to win the SB. At this point I don't see Sam carrying the team, but who knows what could happen. If Eli and Plunkett could win 2 I think with a good enough defense Sam could win at least 2.
Just listened to Daniel Jeremiah, who seems like a good source, say the market for Shaheed was soft, that other positions were going yo push WR down in the draft. And that there were plenty. Fwiw.
When I read this “We rarely stop to appreciate how many “Sam Darnolds” there are in college every year who eventually flame out well before earning a starting role in the NFL.” I’m reading that SSJ is looking for Hawks to help redeem Zach Wilson….side note, Elway was game manager too! It was Terrell Davis, not John Elway, who got the SB. Threw for under 60%. 12 of 22 only 123 yards vs GB. And against Falcons was defense not Elway. Game manager.
In a world where, for many teams, finding a QB to get'm to the play offs is harder than finding Waldo...WE ARE GOLDEN! Sam is VERY good. Period! Full stop! Drew is good and could win games with the VERY good weapons we have...and I CAN'T WAIT to see the progress that our QB/RB chimera, Milroe, is making in the coming pre-season. If that young man is 'chopping wood and carrying water' now, he could very well be a defenses worst nightmare in time.
I suspect there are more than a few really talented QB's whose potential has been squashed like a bug beneath the heel of a MUCH less than great supporting cast (of players AND coaches). Maye? Just say'n...
NFL entertainment machine never stops churning. Will Sam Darnold be like Tom Brady or Nick Foles? Stay tuned.
I like the Tom Brady comp. Sam Darnold is in a great setup (we will see about OC fingers crossed there) and still can get better. Just the fact he now has great confidence, support, and familiarity could do wonders for next year.
I will be very interested to see if he takes another step forward next which I think he has a great shot at doing
OC is a massive concern. But we kept basically all the other assistants who know what Coach Mac wants. I have a feeling that the OC hire, who hasn’t ever called plays, showed a level of humility and willingness to leverage those “beneath” him. Great leaders help the support shine.
OC, for me, is a bit of an unknown, but not a concern. The 'system' is already there and established. The identity is known. Fleury has been in the game his entire life, and has experience with all sides of the ball. If Macdonald interviewed him on Saturday, and hired him on Sunday, then that tells me he has all the confidence in the world. So, that's good enough for me.
Well part of it is the weak draft. They kept the Falcons pick. Read that most of Rams leadership had such low view of first round that their late pick wasn’t worth much. If they feel that way I’m guessing JS similar thoughts. I’m inclined to think that if they find a partner, they trade out of first, drop a few slots, pick up ideally another late day 2 pick. Get in the 50-100 spot.
Wow, it happened! I would wager that they're going after Crosby too. They have the picks to do it, and surely feel they're neck in neck with us as the best team in the NFL.
With Stafford 38 years old, this is maybe their last year to get it done. They’d have to give up pick 13 for Crosby and their 2nd pick as well. They’d be done in the draft for this year. And they’d be without a clear plan for QB in 2027.
In a year that's considered to not be flush with Rd1 grades, yet; it seems like teams would be willing to throw picks around for "difference-making" vets. So, I could totally see them making the offer. Not sure if LV would accept it, though.
On Darnold in the playoffs with the Vikings. Was he really that bad? (i've never seen the entire game so forgive me if i have it wrong). But shouldn't the blame for the vikings performance go to the O-coordinator and the O-line? Once that team was playing from behind, the only way they were coming back was to use their slow-developing long passing game. But the Ram's swarming defense (reminds me of 2026 super bowl) wouldn't allow the qb enough time for those plays. So he gets swamped, throws off back foot, throws interceptions, trying to do something to help his team win. Was he just supposed to take endless sacks? And he was massacred. But how much was his fault and how much was the teams coaching? Anyway, glad he's with us now!
Yes it was the OLine, which replaced all 3 IOL and got back hurt OT, after last year. I should rephrase. OLine but more so, Rams McVay explosive offense and the DC that just blitzed up the middle completely overwhelming the OLine. Big offense took Vikes run game away because of score (10-0 after 1). What people miss. SD was still 63% that game. Had 245 1 TD and 1 INT. Ran for 19 of the 120 rushing yards. It was 9 sacks though. That Vikes game better “stats” than either the Whiners blow out or SB. Better QB rating in that loss than the SB.
Great! Sign me up for a whole team like that, the players should fetch less money and still flat out win!
I like Sam, he's mostly on target and emotionally very stable and provides good leadership. He needs to lead his receivers better, too many times balls thrown behind receivers and cause them slow down and the defenders have a chance to catch up and effect the play.
We've gotta be working a deal with Walker, right? He can't just walk away...
We need Shaheed still kinda...I can't fathom letting him walk without a fight.
JS was working with Rashid. He wants too much. JS is not going to overpay. Walker, or his agent likely want the 14 plus mil that Hall is getting. Way too much for RB. I want them both back but can’t give a guy who catches only about 1.5 balls a game and is what, 5th on the receiving chart, if that, and the RB $30 plus per year. Sucks. Considering chance for another ring and knowing how team and fans loved them both, why Rashid let his agent think he deserves more. I get it though but.
I'll reply to my own comment...I doubt we lose both CB's now that I've seen free agent rankings having Jobe lower than Dremont Jones our former DE...bah hahaha!
I don't think the average fan in Boston, Tampa Bay, Indianapolis, Dallas, San Francisco, or Green Bay knows or even cares about Seattle. If SD guides the Seahawks to a 14-win season and a second Super Bowl win, Sam will be considered a god that walks among men. A third 14-win season and SB win would be a 100% guarentee of a HoF induction. And through all of that, he'll still be the same person he is right now. An above-average QB surrounded by a great team.
I trust in JS to give us the very best 70 players money (along with trades and draft) can buy. I think he signs Jobe, 50/50 he signs Shaheed and 33/67 he signs K9. I think he’ll offer K9 a 3 year deal (he’s 25) $10 million a year with incentives that will take it to $13.3 a year so K9 can say he got a three year $40 million deal. I think about $20 million guaranteed!
Darnold is a lock HOF QB. (First QB ever to win three straight Super Bowls!
I finally did my first mock draft of the year. Last year at this time I had more than a dozen done by now. During that mock draft (after I drafted an O-lineman) I decided the Seahawks will trade Christian Haynes for a 7th round pick.
Welcome back SSJ! I hope you’re feeling refreshed and ready for free agency. I’m 100% behind renewing the Darnold-Nailor combo in 2026!
Yeah, I heard they’re talking about $20 million a year? I wish him well, and if they’re looking for a place to spend it, toss a couple of those millions saved on K9. If K9 stays healthy, he’s actually worth 14 million a year. Look at the last 6 games he played, every one against playoff teams. He was the best back in football over that period. Yeah, it is a short sample, but the key is not to use him like a workhorse, and save him for when it really counts or he’s really needed.
Sam seems like an ideal QB in many ways. He's able to generate big offensive numbers when necessary, but doesn't seem to mind playing "game manager" if that's what gets a win. I want a game winner, not stat freak and he fits that bill.
I still think K9 is the most important Hawk free agent. He outperformed every RB in playoffs and probably any single offensive player, period. That was after a solid season where he trailed only JSN in total yards (he was the Hawks 4th leading receiver). The NFL just doesn't value RBs so he's likely take the largest contract he can get since this is probably his one chance, and more power to him! I'm still more comfortable giving him $12-14 million/year than giving JSN $40 million/year.
Winning the Super Bowl is extraordinarily difficult, so while it's fun to wonder how many Super Bowls Sam and/or the Seahawks will win in the next 10 years, predicting it is a crap shoot. Just talk to Josh Allen. I would love for Sam to win 3 more (with the Seahawks) over the next 5 years. That'd be great! But who knows.
And has the narrative really changed? Are people really just thinking 'Sam Darnold didn't LOSE the Super Bowl for the Seahawks' ??? Not that I care, but it is hard to change narratives.
I'm delighted he's our QB, and look forward to next year, and more success. 14 wins? No idea. Super Bowl win? Maybe? There are so many variables it's hard to know anything with certainty. The only thing I'm sure about is that we just won the Super Bowl, and that the team will be strong again next year. Then we need to play a Super Bowl winning teams schedule, get in the playoffs, and play tough team after tough team to get back to the Lombardi. As I said, extraordinarily difficult.
From a John Boyle article on Seahawks.com.
https://www.seahawks.com/news/the-case-for-the-2025-seahawks-to-be-remembered-as-an-all-time-great-team
Super fun read.
It would be awesome if Sam could get more than 2 SB wins. 3 would be awesome and 4 would be HOF. I think in the current era of free agency that we would need a top defense to win the SB. At this point I don't see Sam carrying the team, but who knows what could happen. If Eli and Plunkett could win 2 I think with a good enough defense Sam could win at least 2.
Just listened to Daniel Jeremiah, who seems like a good source, say the market for Shaheed was soft, that other positions were going yo push WR down in the draft. And that there were plenty. Fwiw.
When I read this “We rarely stop to appreciate how many “Sam Darnolds” there are in college every year who eventually flame out well before earning a starting role in the NFL.” I’m reading that SSJ is looking for Hawks to help redeem Zach Wilson….side note, Elway was game manager too! It was Terrell Davis, not John Elway, who got the SB. Threw for under 60%. 12 of 22 only 123 yards vs GB. And against Falcons was defense not Elway. Game manager.
In a world where, for many teams, finding a QB to get'm to the play offs is harder than finding Waldo...WE ARE GOLDEN! Sam is VERY good. Period! Full stop! Drew is good and could win games with the VERY good weapons we have...and I CAN'T WAIT to see the progress that our QB/RB chimera, Milroe, is making in the coming pre-season. If that young man is 'chopping wood and carrying water' now, he could very well be a defenses worst nightmare in time.
I suspect there are more than a few really talented QB's whose potential has been squashed like a bug beneath the heel of a MUCH less than great supporting cast (of players AND coaches). Maye? Just say'n...
Really enjoyed this article.
NFL entertainment machine never stops churning. Will Sam Darnold be like Tom Brady or Nick Foles? Stay tuned.
I like the Tom Brady comp. Sam Darnold is in a great setup (we will see about OC fingers crossed there) and still can get better. Just the fact he now has great confidence, support, and familiarity could do wonders for next year.
I will be very interested to see if he takes another step forward next which I think he has a great shot at doing
OC is a massive concern. But we kept basically all the other assistants who know what Coach Mac wants. I have a feeling that the OC hire, who hasn’t ever called plays, showed a level of humility and willingness to leverage those “beneath” him. Great leaders help the support shine.
OC, for me, is a bit of an unknown, but not a concern. The 'system' is already there and established. The identity is known. Fleury has been in the game his entire life, and has experience with all sides of the ball. If Macdonald interviewed him on Saturday, and hired him on Sunday, then that tells me he has all the confidence in the world. So, that's good enough for me.
Trent McDuffie an LA Ram! Rams give up 4 draft picks, including their 1st round pick (29) for the CB. Is Ty Simpson their pick at 13?
Well part of it is the weak draft. They kept the Falcons pick. Read that most of Rams leadership had such low view of first round that their late pick wasn’t worth much. If they feel that way I’m guessing JS similar thoughts. I’m inclined to think that if they find a partner, they trade out of first, drop a few slots, pick up ideally another late day 2 pick. Get in the 50-100 spot.
Wow, it happened! I would wager that they're going after Crosby too. They have the picks to do it, and surely feel they're neck in neck with us as the best team in the NFL.
With Stafford 38 years old, this is maybe their last year to get it done. They’d have to give up pick 13 for Crosby and their 2nd pick as well. They’d be done in the draft for this year. And they’d be without a clear plan for QB in 2027.
In a year that's considered to not be flush with Rd1 grades, yet; it seems like teams would be willing to throw picks around for "difference-making" vets. So, I could totally see them making the offer. Not sure if LV would accept it, though.
Suppose the Rams are in that small crowd eyeball'n Tyler? If they're short a QB...get a short QB?
(*groan*...pardon my lack of impulse control)
He plays a mean video game - so I’ve been told.
Did you really write an entire article just to use the joke "The Mac-chelor?"
Off to read the rest now
On Darnold in the playoffs with the Vikings. Was he really that bad? (i've never seen the entire game so forgive me if i have it wrong). But shouldn't the blame for the vikings performance go to the O-coordinator and the O-line? Once that team was playing from behind, the only way they were coming back was to use their slow-developing long passing game. But the Ram's swarming defense (reminds me of 2026 super bowl) wouldn't allow the qb enough time for those plays. So he gets swamped, throws off back foot, throws interceptions, trying to do something to help his team win. Was he just supposed to take endless sacks? And he was massacred. But how much was his fault and how much was the teams coaching? Anyway, glad he's with us now!
Watching that game, I was convinced it was mostly the O-line. Same with Super Bowl. Patrick's O-line caused Mahomes to look very pedestrian.
Yes it was the OLine, which replaced all 3 IOL and got back hurt OT, after last year. I should rephrase. OLine but more so, Rams McVay explosive offense and the DC that just blitzed up the middle completely overwhelming the OLine. Big offense took Vikes run game away because of score (10-0 after 1). What people miss. SD was still 63% that game. Had 245 1 TD and 1 INT. Ran for 19 of the 120 rushing yards. It was 9 sacks though. That Vikes game better “stats” than either the Whiners blow out or SB. Better QB rating in that loss than the SB.
'"he’s not elite but he wins a lot of games..."'
Great! Sign me up for a whole team like that, the players should fetch less money and still flat out win!
I like Sam, he's mostly on target and emotionally very stable and provides good leadership. He needs to lead his receivers better, too many times balls thrown behind receivers and cause them slow down and the defenders have a chance to catch up and effect the play.
We've gotta be working a deal with Walker, right? He can't just walk away...
We need Shaheed still kinda...I can't fathom letting him walk without a fight.
CB worries me we lose both...
JS was working with Rashid. He wants too much. JS is not going to overpay. Walker, or his agent likely want the 14 plus mil that Hall is getting. Way too much for RB. I want them both back but can’t give a guy who catches only about 1.5 balls a game and is what, 5th on the receiving chart, if that, and the RB $30 plus per year. Sucks. Considering chance for another ring and knowing how team and fans loved them both, why Rashid let his agent think he deserves more. I get it though but.
exactly....
I'll reply to my own comment...I doubt we lose both CB's now that I've seen free agent rankings having Jobe lower than Dremont Jones our former DE...bah hahaha!
I don't think the average fan in Boston, Tampa Bay, Indianapolis, Dallas, San Francisco, or Green Bay knows or even cares about Seattle. If SD guides the Seahawks to a 14-win season and a second Super Bowl win, Sam will be considered a god that walks among men. A third 14-win season and SB win would be a 100% guarentee of a HoF induction. And through all of that, he'll still be the same person he is right now. An above-average QB surrounded by a great team.
Sam Darnold approves of this message (or so i believe).
"Oh, The Times, ... They Are A'changing."
I trust in JS to give us the very best 70 players money (along with trades and draft) can buy. I think he signs Jobe, 50/50 he signs Shaheed and 33/67 he signs K9. I think he’ll offer K9 a 3 year deal (he’s 25) $10 million a year with incentives that will take it to $13.3 a year so K9 can say he got a three year $40 million deal. I think about $20 million guaranteed!
Darnold is a lock HOF QB. (First QB ever to win three straight Super Bowls!
I finally did my first mock draft of the year. Last year at this time I had more than a dozen done by now. During that mock draft (after I drafted an O-lineman) I decided the Seahawks will trade Christian Haynes for a 7th round pick.
Welcome back SSJ! I hope you’re feeling refreshed and ready for free agency. I’m 100% behind renewing the Darnold-Nailor combo in 2026!
Well the Shaheed might be 25/75 or less now….
Yeah, I heard they’re talking about $20 million a year? I wish him well, and if they’re looking for a place to spend it, toss a couple of those millions saved on K9. If K9 stays healthy, he’s actually worth 14 million a year. Look at the last 6 games he played, every one against playoff teams. He was the best back in football over that period. Yeah, it is a short sample, but the key is not to use him like a workhorse, and save him for when it really counts or he’s really needed.