The Seattle Seahawks have made substantial changes to their roster this past week, sending shockwaves through the NFL with two major moves. After unsuccessful extension talks with quarterback Geno Smith, they traded him to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round pick. Following this, they approved wide receiver DK Metcalf's request for a trade, sending him to Pittsburgh for a second-rounder. While some speculated Seattle might be entering a rebuilding phase, it quickly became clear they had other plans.
Instead of dismantling their team, the Seahawks turned their attention to Sam Darnold, officially agreeing to terms on March 10, 2025, for a three-year contract valued at $110.5 million, with $55 million guaranteed, according to reports from Dianna Russini and Adam Schefter. This deal sees Darnold receive just under $37 million annually, effectively offering the Seahawks savings compared to the reported $45 million asking price from Smith after his impressive seasons as their starter.
Darnold, who is set to turn 28 shortly after the new season begins, enjoyed the best year of his career with the Minnesota Vikings last season, completing 66.2% of his passes for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and only 12 interceptions, resulting in a 102.5 passer rating. These numbers landed him his first Pro Bowl selection and significantly contributed to the Vikings achieving their best regular-season record since 1998 at 14-3. Evidently, there were substantial questions surrounding Darnold's performance; particularly his failures during the playoffs, where the Vikings lost to the Los Angeles Rams after he struggled with turnovers.
Despite the ups and downs of his career—beginning as the No. 3 overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets and then stints with the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers—Darnold's remarkable resurgence last season captured the attention of the Seahawks. "Darnold was the best possible option on the market to replace Smith," said sources close to the Seahawks, hinting at the organization's pressing need for stability after consistent playoff miss-outs.
Meanwhile, Smith's trade came after the Seahawks had offered him between $35 million and $40 million per year to extend his stay at the club. Securing Darnold means the Seahawks continue to reshape their offensive strategy, especially with significant losses at wide receiver, where Metcalf's departure leaves them needing to rebuild their receiving corps around young talent like Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The Seahawks' recent trades reflect their current strategic philosophy; rather than tearing down, they appear to be reinforcing their roster for the 2025 season. Seattle is under new leadership with head coach Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. The latter previously collaborated with Darnold during his stint with the San Francisco 49ers, spurring expectations for how Darnold will integrate with Kubiak's offensive system. Kubiak’s approach, which aims to leverage quick throws and game-management skills, aligns well with Darnold’s strengths.
For the Vikings, Darnold's departure opens up clearer pathways for the development of rookie JJ McCarthy, the No. 10 pick from the 2024 NFL Draft. With intended changes across their roster, the Vikings are ushering McCarthy forward as the quarterback of the future, having determined Darnold would not fit within their long-term plans.
Meanwhile, as the Seahawks gear up for the upcoming season, they find themselves needing to fill significant gaps created by the trades of Smith and Metcalf. They also released long-time veteran Tyler Lockett, signaling their intent to make rapid roster adjustments. The Seahawks, who had seen promising seasons with Smith at the helm, will face challenges rebuilding their offense around Darnold, especially considering the realities of their offensive line struggles and the hefty expectations placed on their new quarterback.
While Darnold's signing may be framed as risky, the Seahawks selected him to become their QB1 as they look to return to competitive standing within the NFC West. Darnold is expected to work with young quarterbacks Sam Howell and Jaren Hall, each vying for their roles within the depth chart. Darnold’s history of previous struggles and the pressure of transitioning to his fifth team adds layers of intrigue to the upcoming season.
Seattle’s management remains steadfast, believing Darnold can replicate and build upon his successful performance from last year. "They believe he can be their QB1 for the foreseeable future," noted sources connected with the decision-making process of the franchise.
The coming weeks will see the Seahawks aim to round out their roster through both free agency and the draft, with high expectations resting on integrating Darnold seamlessly within Kubiak's system. All eyes will be on Seattle as they pivot from recent turmoil to new beginnings, with the hope of heralding significant improvements to their overall performance.