Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold enters the 2026 season balancing the validation of winning Super Bowl LX against lingering frustration over his individual title-game performance. Preparing for a Wednesday night rematch against the New England Patriots, Darnold and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba are leaning into a perceived lack of respect from outside observers as they launch their title defense.
Super Bowl Performance Still Drives Sam Darnold’s Offseason Frustration
The Seattle Seahawks captured the Super Bowl LX title over the New England Patriots, but quarterback Sam Darnold remains intensely critical of how he played on the sport’s biggest stage. Speaking in July, Darnold assessed his physical execution bluntly, stating that while he felt he made sound strategic choices, his accuracy let him down during the championship matchup.
“Not great,” Darnold told Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer when asked in July how he thought he played. “Physically, not great. I think I made good decisions. I just … I missed [throws].”
Sam Darnold, via Yahoo Sports
Darnold specifically highlighted several missed connections that could have altered the game’s margin earlier. These included a rolling-out missed touchdown to Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the opening quarter, deep post attempts intended for Rashid Shaheed, and another missed scoring opportunity to Smith-Njigba just before halftime. Although Seattle possessed enough cushion to secure the championship, Darnold noted that those specific plays continue to motivate him.
“Those are the things, to be honest, that drive you crazy as a quarterback,” Darnold said. “You dream of winning the Super Bowl. But I didn’t dream of winning the Super Bowl that way, if that makes sense. I wish I had played a little bit better.”
Training Camp Command and the Stability of Brian Fleury’s Offense
Entering his second year with the organization, Darnold exhibits a visibly higher level of comfort and command. Having signed with Seattle last year after stints with Carolina, San Francisco, and the New York Jets, Darnold is experiencing consecutive seasons with the same franchise for the first time since his 2021-22 tenure with the Carolina Panthers.
That continuity has translated directly to the practice field under new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury. During the team’s 17th training camp practice, Darnold orchestrated the offensive scheme smoothly, connecting with Rashid Shaheed and hitting Tory Horton for a 40-yard gain down the left sideline past cornerback Josh Jobe. Head coach Mike Macdonald praised the quarterback’s process and aggressive decision-making.
“I’ll tell you right now: He’s being really decisive with the ball,” Macdonald said. “He’s taking care of the ball. He’s making great decisions. He’s playing fast. He’s being aggressive when he needs to be. Great, great command. His process is really cool.”
Mike Macdonald, head coach, via AOL.com
Embracing the Underdog Mindset Heading Into the 2026 Rematch
Despite capturing a championship after finishing the 2025 campaign with a 14-3 record, the Seahawks and their quarterback still encounter skepticism from national analysts. Discussing the lack of external attention on Up And Adams, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba noted that external rankings do not include Darnold among the league’s top-ten quarterbacks. Smith-Njigba dismissed the outside noise, emphasizing that the franchise feeds on being counted out.
“No, I cannot,” Smith-Njigba said on whether he can imagine catching passes from another quarterback besides Darnold. “You know, Sam’s definitely our guy, and he’s been our guy since day one, since we were able to get him, and we all know that, and we all trust that, and you know, but that’s kind of the love Seattle gets.”
Seahawks-Patriots REACTION: Sam Darnold Wins Super Bowl LX, Seattle dominates | Colin Cowherd NFL
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, wide receiver, via ClutchPoints
Smith-Njigba is coming off a massive individual campaign in which he led the league with 1,793 receiving yards on 119 receptions, scoring 10 touchdowns. Alongside Darnold, who threw for 4,048 yards with 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions during his debut season in Seattle, the offensive pairing intends to let their play dictate the narrative as they open their title defense.
The Seahawks begin that defense on Wednesday night against the New England Patriots, offering Darnold an immediate stage to test his adjustments against the same opponent he defeated in Santa Clara.
Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.
