The Seattle Seahawks have made another big move in the 2025 offseason, agreeing to a contract with quarterback Sam Darnold.
The seven-year veteran is coming off his best NFL season in 2024 and signed a three-year, $100.5 million deal.
Seattle Seahawks Make Sam Darnold Their Guy for $100.5 Million
Darnold, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, spent three rough years with the New York Jets before short stints with the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers. He carried a 21-35 career record to Minnesota, where he was expected to back up rookie J.J. McCarthy.
A preseason injury to McCarthy forced Darnold into the starting role, and he led Kevin O’Connell’s team to a 14-3 record and a playoff berth. Darnold made the Pro Bowl last season after throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. While two bad performances in the playoffs ended his season on a sour note, he still finished No. 12 in PFSN’s QB+ metric.
To take it a step further, he ranked as a top-10 weekly quarterback by QB+ six times last season and finished outside the top 20 only three times. His early career struggles were hard to overlook, but for most of 2024, Darnold played like an above-average quarterback.
Finishing the season poorly likely cost him a chance to stay with the Vikings and some extra money, but it didn’t prevent him from landing the biggest payday of his career.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo first reported the deal, tweeting:
“The #Seahawks have their new QB. The team has agreed to terms with Sam Darnold, sources tell The Insiders. Three years, nearly $100 million. Three days after trading away Geno Smith, the franchise kicks off the Seattle Sam era.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter followed up with more details:
“ESPN sources: Former Vikings QB Sam Darnold reached agreement today on a three-year, [$100.5] million contract including $55 million guaranteed with the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle has its successor to Geno Smith.”
MORE: PFSN’s Top 121 Free Agent Rankings
The new deal pays Darnold $33.5 million per year, making him a top-20 quarterback in terms of annual salary. It’s not the biggest contract for a QB, but after a strong 2024 season, he earned it.
Now, Darnold joins a Seattle team that has stripped its offense of key weapons. Longtime receiver Tyler Lockett was released, and the team traded wideout DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders. The Seahawks hold the No. 18 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after finishing 10-7 last season and could use that pick to reload the offense.
Seattle has its new quarterback, and Darnold finally has his big contract.