Sam Darnold, the quarterback who was once considered a bust by many experts, has signed a nine-figure contract with the Seattle Seahawks. The move comes after a breakout season in 2024, where Darnold led the Minnesota Vikings to 14 wins and was instrumental in their success.
In comparison to his previous performance, Darnold’s numbers improved significantly in 2024. He completed 66.2% of his passes with a passer rating of 102.5 and threw for 2.9 touchdowns per game. While he has high pedigree as a quarterback, his resume still shows more bad than good.
The key to Darnold’s success in 2024 was the system he played under, led by coach Kevin O’Connell. The Vikings were part of the NFC North, which is known for its hyper-scoring environment, and played most of their games indoors. This environment contributed to Darnold’s improved performance.
However, with Darnold now playing in a new system with the Seahawks, it remains to be seen if he can repeat his 2024 success. The team has undergone significant changes, including the departure of Justin Jefferson, who was one of the key players behind Darnold’s breakout season.
J.J. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is now expected to step up and fill the void left by Jefferson. Coach Kevin O’Connell has been consistent in his support for McCarthy, despite him missing all of last season due to injury.
While McCarthy has a proven system filled with playmakers, it’s unclear if he can replicate Darnold’s success. The industry may have overestimated things entering McCarthy’s age-26 season, and it remains to be seen if he can live up to the hype.
Justin Jefferson, who was once considered a potential downgrade due to the shift to Sam Darnold, proved himself again in 2024 by reaching triple digits in receptions for a third time and 1,400 receiving yards for the fourth time. His performance suggests that he may be more resilient than expected.
Overall, it’s still early to tell if Sam Darnold can repeat his 2024 success with the Seahawks. The new system and surroundings will play a significant role in determining his performance, and fans will need to wait and see how things unfold.
Source: https://www.newsbreak.com/trending-story/sam-darnold’s-2024-breakout-season-and-contract-with-seattle-seahawks-6897b37bd36e2877ec4083a0