Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold faces pressure as Seattle slips to 3-3
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The gist
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold was hit 17 times and sacked five times in a 17-14 overtime loss to Denver.
Seattle's 3-3 start has raised questions about his play and his contract beyond 2026.
Background
Sam Darnold is the Seattle Seahawks quarterback who helped deliver a Super Bowl title to the franchise last season, his first after signing a three-year, $100.5 million deal in March 2025. This season his numbers have dropped — his passer rating fell from 99.1 to 77.4, with seven touchdown passes and seven interceptions — and Seattle has lost three of four games to sit at 3-3. The discussion has widened from his on-field play to his future: he has one year left on his contract after this season, and a $10 million roster bonus is due in March 2027.
How it unfolded
- Mar 2025The Seahawks signed Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal shortly after free agency began; only the signing bonus and his 2025 salary were guaranteed.
- 2025 seasonDarnold took 27 sacks, half as many as Geno Smith and Sam Howell did in 2024, en route to the franchise's second Super Bowl title.
- Oct 11, 2026Seattle lost 32-29 to the San Francisco 49ers; left guard Grey Zabel said the offensive line has not been good enough.
- Oct 15, 2026The Seahawks lost 17-14 in overtime at Denver; Darnold was pressured 27 times and hit 17 times, and took five sacks for the second straight week.
- Oct 18, 2026Fox Sports' Jay Glazer said Darnold was out for a couple of games and is pressing under an enormous amount of pressure.
- Oct 21, 2026ESPN's Dan Graziano raised questions about Darnold's long-term outlook, citing a contract decision awaiting Seattle after the 2026 season; Glazer reported the Seahawks plan to stick with Darnold, keeping Drew Lock as backup.
- Oct 22, 2026Darnold met the media ahead of a Thursday night home game against Denver, saying he needs to be more decisive and get the ball out faster.
- Oct 23, 2026Reporting said Darnold is getting hit too much and Seattle's problems go beyond who's blocking, with the team having dropped three of four games to fall to 3-3.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- ESPN's Dan Graziano said he is curious about Darnold's situation with one year left on his contract, suggesting Seattle could either extend him or move on, two very different outcomes.
- Caution
- Fox Sports' Jay Glazer said Darnold is pressing a lot right now under an enormous amount of pressure.
- Support
- Coach Mike Macdonald said Darnold has been great and has been part of conversations on where the team can go, while calling for urgency to improve on offense.
- Party
- Left guard Grey Zabel said the offensive line, himself included, can play a lot better to take the heat off the quarterback.
Still unverified
Graziano raised the possibility that the Seahawks could move on from Darnold next year if the rest of the season doesn't go well; Drew Lock played well in his chance, but that is a limited sample size.