As the NFL offseason unfolds, all eyes are on Sam Darnold, the quarterback who once thrived with the Minnesota Vikings but is now poised to face significant challenges as he dons the Seattle Seahawks jersey. After an impressive 2024 campaign that resulted in a lucrative $100.5 million contract, questions linger about whether Darnold can duplicate his stellar performance in Seattle.

Sam Darnold during his time with the Minnesota Vikings

According to Kevin Patra of NFL.com, Darnold’s success in Minnesota might prove to be a paradox. “I’m not going to project Darnold to double down on a career year. He’s going from a near-ideal offense to one with question marks at receiver and interior O-line,” Patra noted. With such significant variables in play, it’s clear that the landscape surrounding Darnold has changed dramatically.

Darnold’s highs last season were impressive. The 4,319 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and only 12 interceptions marked a career year filled with potential. However, as Patra pointed out, the shadows of his past performance haunt him: just when he seemed to have rid himself of old demons, the final two games of the season showcased a regression into troubling habits.

Sam Darnold faces a crucial season with the Seahawks

The Seahawks find themselves in a precarious position. Despite drafting quarterback Jalen Milroe—arguably the most athletic signal caller of the 2025 class—there’s a sense that Darnold must perform well to retain his starting role. If he falters, his time in Seattle could end as swiftly as it began, all depending on the performance of an interior offensive line that has yet to justify its ability to protect him. “The biggest question in Seattle is whether the interior offensive line can protect Darnold enough for him to thrive,” Patra states, leading to speculation that the team might witness Darnold’s struggles again.

The birds eye of attention also veers towards his successor in Minnesota, J.J. McCarthy, who is reported to be fully recovered from a knee injury that sidelined him for his rookie season. The Vikings capitalized on their previous successes and strengthened their roster, raising the stakes for McCarthy as he steps in for Darnold.

J.J. McCarthy is set for a crucial year with the Vikings

For the Vikings, the upcoming season hinges on McCarthy’s ability to lead a team that boasts continuity with its skill-position players. As for Darnold, optimism looms, yet caution is justified. Will he rise to the occasion, or will he become another cautionary tale of talent unfulfilled?

As the narrative unfolds, fans and analysts alike are left to ponder: Is Sam Darnold’s remarkable previous year just an outlier, or is it the dawn of a new era for him with the Seahawks? As the NFL season approaches, the answers remain obscured but tantalizingly close.