The Seattle Seahawks essentially swapping DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Geno Smith for Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp was a puzzling decision. While Darnold had a strong 2024 season, his previous stints left plenty of questions. Despite this, Seattle chose to move on from Smith after a 10-7 record in 2024.
Seattle also gave the former Vikings quarterback a three-year, $100.5 million contract. However, a recent revelation shows that the contract includes clauses that make it far more team-friendly if things don’t work out.
How the Seattle Seahawks Salvaged Sam Darnold’s Contract
At first glance, the three-year deal didn’t seem as lucrative as some of the other quarterback contracts in the league. But with Darnold’s ability still in question—especially behind a shaky offensive line and fewer elite weapons—the duration of the contract raised some eyebrows.
Seattle had a top-tier defense last season and could have looked to draft a young quarterback or even stuck with Geno Smith. However, as it turns out, the headline figures don’t tell the full story of the deal between Darnold and the Seahawks.
The Athletic’s David Lombardi broke down the contract details, stating on X:
“Look at Seattle’s deal with Sam Darnold. All the guaranteed money comes in Year 1 via base salary: $37.5 million. Then the Seahawks essentially have 2 team options at $31.5m APY in 2026 and 2027.”
Look at Seattle's deal with Sam Darnold. All the guaranteed money comes in Year 1 via base salary: $37.5 million.
Then the Seahawks essentially have 2 team options at $31.5m APY in 2026 and 2027: pic.twitter.com/MSmRhJ12OR
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) March 16, 2025
This breakdown completely changes the perception of the deal, given Darnold’s boom-or-bust potential. Last season, playing under Coach of the Year Kevin O’Connell and alongside Justin Jefferson, Darnold posted 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns.
However, on PFSN’s QB+ metric, he ranked 12th, just a few spots ahead of Geno Smith (and between New Orleans Saints’ Derek Carr and Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love).
The last two weeks of the season were rough for Sam Darnold. Week 18 was his worst performance of the season, and the Wild Card game was his third-worst. They were his second and third performances that were graded as a D and the fourth and fifth graded below a C-.
Since bringing in the former first-round pick, the Seahawks have been focused on improving the weapons around him. The ascension of Jaxon Smith-Njigba as a reliable wide receiver should help, and adding Cooper Kupp only strengthens the offense. But depending on how the season unfolds, Seattle holds all the leverage.
There’s even a chance the Darnold experiment lasts just one season under new head coach Mike Macdonald. Unlike teams stuck with crippling contracts — such as Deshaun Watson’s in Cleveland or Russell Wilson’s in Denver — Seattle has flexibility. That makes 2025 a crucial season for Darnold to prove himself with his new team.