Sam Darnold has officially joined the Seattle Seahawks, bringing with him lessons from a tumultuous postseason with the Minnesota Vikings, where his performance faltered at a critical juncture. After an impressive season, culminating in 35 touchdown passes, Darnold's late struggles in the playoffs—particularly a dismal outing against the Detroit Lions and a nine-sack wild card loss to the Los Angeles Rams—highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in release time and decision-making.

Now under the guidance of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Darnold aims to leverage his familiarity with the scheme and build a competitive edge in the NFC West. His previous relationship with Kubiak, along with being a respected teammate, played a pivotal role in his decision to sign a three-year deal with the Seahawks worth $55 million guaranteed. With Geno Smith traded, the team is positioning Darnold as a potential starter, giving him the platform to rebound from a rocky playoff exit and refine his game.