Sam Darnold will be starting in the Super Bowl, and that before Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and the other quarterbacks of the cohort coming from the 2018 NFL draft.
It took Darnold five teams to get there.
Darnold led the Seahawks to a 14-3 record, a section title and first place in the NFC.
In the NFC Finals, despite an oblique injury, Darnold had 346 air yards and three touchdowns in Seattle’s 31-27 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
On Sunday, he completed 25 of 36 passes and had no interceptions.
“He just shut a lot of people up,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. I’m really happy for him. »
Darnold was selected third by the New York Jets in 2018. Baker Mayfield was selected first by the Cleveland Browns. Allen joined the Buffalo Bills in the seventh pitch.
Josh Rosen was drafted tenth overall by the Arizona Cardinals.
The Baltimore Ravens selected Jackson last in the first round, 32nd overall.
Jackson won two NFL Most Valuable Player awards. He is 0-1 in AFC Finals play.
Allen, the 2024 Most Valuable Player, lost twice to the Chiefs in the AFC Finals.
Mayfield led the Browns to their only playoff win this century.
He won two section titles and a playoff game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his fourth team.
Rosen was traded by Arizona after a rough rookie season (3-10), then left the NFL after just three more games as starting quarterback.
Allen and Jackson saw their coaches fired this month after their teams failed to meet expectations.
Darnold’s story is an example of perseverance, redemption and the importance of being surrounded by coaches who click with you.
Darnold had three difficult seasons with the Jets, under coaches Todd Bowles and Adam Gase, and offensive coordinators Jeremy Bates and Dowell Loggains.
He then joined the Carolina Panthers and played two seasons under coaches Matt Rhule and Steve Wilks, and coordinators Jeff Nixon, Joe Brady and Ben McAdoo.
None of them managed to truly exploit their potential.
In 2023, he spent a season with Kyle Shanahan and his assistants Klint and Klay Kubiak, with San Francisco.
Darnold was Brock Purdy’s backup on the 49ers that reached the Super Bowl.
He was able to observe, learn and progress in an environment conducive to his development.
Shanahan praised Darnold’s skill as a passer, as well as his ability to read defenses and run the offensive scheme.
Darnold then joined Minnesota and excelled under coach Kevin O’Connell. He had a breakout season in 2024, totaling 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdowns, leading the Vikings to 14 wins.
Building on this success, Darnold obtained a three-year, $100.5 million contract from the Seahawks to replace Geno Smith.
He became the first quarterback in NFL history to lead his clubs to 14 victories in two consecutive seasons. Tom Brady did it with the Patriots (2003 and 2004).
“We believe in him. The fans at the stadium believe in him. The city believes in him, said wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. It’s great to play with him. »
