Sam Darnold FAQs
Who is Sam Darnold?
Answer:
Sam Darnold is the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks during the 2025 NFL season. He was selected No. 3 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft out of the University of Southern California by the New York Jets.
The Seattle Seahawks agreed to sign Darnold to a three-year contract reportedly worth $100.5 million, including $55 million guaranteed.
During his college career at USC, Darnold won the 2017 Rose Bowl.
Sam Darnold is engaged to his longtime partner, Katie Hoofnagle.
When was Sam Darnold’s first Super Bowl appearance?
Answer:
Darnold earned his first Super Bowl appearance following the Seahawks’ NFC Championship win over the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 25, 2026. He became the first quarterback from the 2018 draft class to reach the Super Bowl.
The Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots will face off in Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California.
Which NFL teams has Sam Darnold played for before the Seattle Seahawks?
Answer: Sam Darnold began his NFL career with the New York Jets from 2018 to 2020, where injuries hampered his early seasons. He later played for the Carolina Panthers from 2021 to 2022 and spent the 2023 season with the San Francisco 49ers.
Darnold’s time with the Minnesota Vikings was short-lived, as the team moved forward with J.J. McCarthy, leading Darnold to become a free agent after the 2024 NFL season. After helping lead the Vikings to the playoffs, he signed a three-year deal with Seattle to replace Geno Smith.
What were Sam Darnold’s 2025 NFL regular season stats?
Answer:
Darnold played a key role in the Seahawks’ success during the 2025 season, leading the team to a 14–3 record, an NFC West title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
In 17 games, he completed 67.7% of his passes for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection.
What injury did Sam Darnold sustain during the 2025 NFL season?
Answer: Sam Darnold suffered an oblique injury while throwing passes during practice in January 2026 but continued to play through the injury. The 28-year-old’s backup quarterback is Drew Lock.