Home / Sports / Sam Darnold: QB's Wild NFL Journey

Sam Darnold: QB's Wild NFL Journey

17 Jan

Summary

Drafted 3rd overall, Darnold struggled with Jets before a trade.
Panthers and 49ers stints were challenging, leading to backup role.
Signed a $100 million deal with Seattle after a Pro Bowl season.

Sam Darnold's NFL career, since being drafted third overall by the New York Jets in 2018, has been marked by frequent transitions. His initial years with the Jets were challenging, failing to meet high expectations due to inconsistent performance and a weak supporting cast.

Following his departure from New York, Darnold had brief and difficult stints with the Carolina Panthers and later joined the San Francisco 49ers as a backup quarterback. These periods tested his resolve, but a subsequent successful season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 revitalized his career.

This resurgence culminated in a substantial three-year, $100 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks in 2025, where he continued to perform at a high level, earning Pro Bowl selections and becoming one of a few quarterbacks to lead multiple franchises to 14-win seasons.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.