Sam Darnold: Complete Biography, NFL Career, Stats, Achievements and Latest News
Sam Darnold is an American professional football quarterback who currently plays for the Seattle Seahawks in the National Football League (NFL). Wearing jersey number 14, Darnold has built one of the more interesting quarterback careers in recent NFL history. After entering the league as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, he experienced several difficult seasons before becoming a Pro Bowl quarterback and eventually winning a Super Bowl.
Born on June 5, 1997, in California, Darnold played college football at the University of Southern California (USC) before entering the NFL. He is listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 225 pounds.
Early Life and College Career
Darnold attended San Clemente High School in California, where he became a highly regarded football prospect. During his three-year high school starting career, he recorded a 15-3 record.
He later joined the USC Trojans. Darnold played two seasons for USC after redshirting in 2015. From 2016 to 2017, he appeared in 27 games and recorded 7,229 passing yards, 57 passing touchdowns and 22 interceptions.
His 2016 season was particularly impressive. He was named Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year and won the Archie Griffin Award, which is given to college football's most valuable player. In 2017, he threw for more than 4,000 yards and earned MVP honors in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
2018 NFL Draft
The New York Jets selected Sam Darnold with the third overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
The selection came with significant expectations because Darnold was considered one of the top quarterback prospects in the draft. He became the Jets' starting quarterback and played all 13 games he appeared in during his rookie season.
In 2018, Darnold completed 239 of 414 passes for 2,865 yards, 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. His passer rating was 77.6.
New York Jets
Darnold spent three seasons with the Jets from 2018 through 2020.
His best statistical season in New York came in 2019, when he threw for 3,024 yards, 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
However, the Jets struggled as a team, and Darnold's development was affected by inconsistent offensive play and injuries. Across his three seasons with New York, he started all 38 games he played and accumulated 8,097 passing yards, 45 touchdowns and 39 interceptions.
Carolina Panthers
In April 2021, the Jets traded Darnold to the Carolina Panthers.
He played two seasons with Carolina. In 2021, Darnold appeared in 12 games and threw for 2,527 yards, nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
In 2022, he played six games and showed improvement, completing 82 of 140 passes for 1,143 yards, seven touchdowns and only three interceptions. His passer rating that season was 92.6.
Despite some promising performances, Darnold's time in Carolina did not establish him as a long-term franchise quarterback.
San Francisco 49ers
Darnold signed with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023 and entered the season as a backup quarterback behind Brock Purdy.
He appeared in 10 games and made one start. His only start came in the regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Rams after San Francisco had secured the NFC's No. 1 seed.
Darnold completed 16 of 26 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown in that game, while also scoring a rushing touchdown.
Although he was primarily a backup, his time in San Francisco allowed him to work within Kyle Shanahan's offensive system and continue developing his game.
Breakout Season With Minnesota
The biggest turning point in Darnold's career came in 2024 after he signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
Darnold started all 17 regular-season games and produced the best statistical season of his career at that point.
He completed 361 of 545 passes for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, finishing with a 102.5 passer rating.
He was selected to his first Pro Bowl and was also named PFWA Most Improved Player. His 4,319 passing yards ranked fifth in the NFL that season, while his 35 touchdown passes ranked fifth.
The season dramatically changed the perception of Darnold. A quarterback once viewed as a failed former top draft pick had become one of the league's most productive starters.
Seattle Seahawks
Darnold signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent on March 13, 2025.
His first season in Seattle continued his career resurgence.
During the 2025 regular season, Darnold started all 17 games and completed 323 of 477 passes for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He finished with a 99.1 passer rating and a 67.7% completion percentage.
He earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection and helped Seattle finish with a franchise-record 14 wins and the NFC's No. 1 seed.
Super Bowl Success
Darnold's Seattle career reached its biggest moment during the 2025 season.
The Seahawks advanced through the NFC playoffs and reached Super Bowl LX.
Darnold became one of the quarterbacks to reach a Super Bowl in his first season with a team and helped Seattle win the championship. He also delivered a huge performance in the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams, completing 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions, producing a 127.8 passer rating.
The Super Bowl victory represented a remarkable transformation for Darnold, who had spent the early part of his career searching for consistency.
2026 Season and Latest Injury
Darnold remains Seattle's quarterback in the 2026 season.
In Seattle's 2026 season opener against the New England Patriots, Darnold suffered a right hip injury after being sacked. He completed only two passes for 13 yards before leaving the game.
Initial X-rays and a CT scan showed no fracture, which was encouraging news for Seattle. However, the team planned an MRI for further evaluation to determine the severity of the injury and his availability going forward.
Seattle eventually defeated New England 13-10, with backup quarterback Drew Lock taking over after Darnold's departure.
Career Statistics
Through the 2025 regular season, Darnold had appeared in 100 NFL games and made 90 starts.
His career passing totals were:
20,431 passing yards
123 passing touchdowns
82 interceptions
1,766 completions
62.3% completion percentage
86.5 career passer rating
He also recorded 1,067 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns.
Major Achievements
Sam Darnold's career highlights include:
2018 NFL Draft — No. 3 overall pick
2016 Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year
2016 Archie Griffin Award
2024 Pro Bowl
2024 PFWA Most Improved Player
2025 Pro Bowl
Super Bowl LX champion
Two consecutive seasons with more than 4,000 passing yards
Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback
Sam Darnold's Career Transformation
Darnold's story is particularly interesting because of the dramatic change in his career trajectory.
Early in his career, he was criticized for turnovers, inconsistency and failing to meet expectations associated with being a top-three draft selection.
His move to San Francisco provided valuable experience in a backup role. His opportunity in Minnesota then allowed him to rebuild his confidence and demonstrate that he could operate as a productive starting quarterback.
The 2024 and 2025 seasons ultimately changed his reputation. He went from being viewed as a former first-round disappointment to a Pro Bowl quarterback and Super Bowl champion.
Final Verdict
Sam Darnold has had one of the more unexpected career turnarounds among modern NFL quarterbacks.
His journey from the No. 3 overall pick of the New York Jets to the Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings and finally the Seattle Seahawks shows how a quarterback's career can change with the right coaching, supporting cast and opportunity.
At 29 years old in 2026, Darnold remains an important part of Seattle's plans. His immediate focus is his hip injury and return to the field, but his recent achievements have already established him as one of the NFL's most notable comeback stories.
🚨 Sam Darnold Injury Update
Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold left the 2026 season opener against the New England Patriots after suffering a right hip injury.
Good news: initial X-rays and CT scans showed no fracture.
An MRI is scheduled to determine the severity of the injury.
Seattle still came back to beat New England 13-10. 🏈
#SamDarnold #Seahawks #NFL #NFLNews #Football
From the No. 3 overall pick…
To struggling with the Jets and Panthers…
To a backup role with the 49ers…
Then 4,319 yards and 35 TDs with the Vikings…
Then a Super Bowl championship with the Seahawks. 🏆
Sam Darnold's NFL comeback story is one of the most surprising quarterback turnarounds in recent years.
#SamDarnold #NFL #Seahawks #SuperBowl #Football
Sam Darnold was once considered a failed first-round quarterback.
Now he's a 2× Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion. 🏆
Was Sam Darnold's comeback one of the best quarterback turnarounds in NFL history?
👇 YES or NO?
#SamDarnold #NFL #Seahawks #NFLNews #Football
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