Darnold's Risk-It Mindset: Seattle's Playoff Secret

The Seattle Seahawks are entering the playoffs with a unique quarterback philosophy under head coach Mike Macdonald. Macdonald's approach encourages quarterback Sam Darnold to "rip it" and play with decisive aggression, rather than focusing solely on avoiding turnovers. This belief in the process is central to the team's success, despite Darnold leading the league in turnovers.

Darnold, a Pro Bowl quarterback, has been instrumental in the Seahawks' successful season, engineering multiple game-winning drives. However, his propensity for turnovers remains a noted concern. Macdonald believes that by encouraging Darnold's aggressive style, he unlocks the quarterback's potential for critical, game-changing plays, citing a key throw against the Rams as an example.

This coaching philosophy aims to foster a "play free" mentality, allowing players to trust their training and perform at their best. With the Seahawks favored to win their playoff matchup, the success of this unconventional approach hinges on Darnold's ability to perform at a high level, a critical factor in their quest for a Super Bowl title.