Darnold Signs with Seattle

[Michael K.]

I actually agree AA. I am not a huge Darnold fan, but you hit the nail on the head. Younger and cheaper than Geno, AND we added a 2nd round pick!

[AZOldDawg]

We could have a young Tom Brady but we’re still doomed to mediocrity if we don’t significantly upgrade the offensive line. There’s a reason our line is rated as poorly as it is

[Michael K.]

We could have a young Tom Brady but we’re still doomed to mediocrity if we don’t significantly upgrade the offensive line. There’s a reason our line is rated as poorly as it is

I think they recognize that. They want to emphasize the run, which should help some, as well as adding draft picks and salary cap room. All of those things, if used correctly, can help bolster the O Line. The key is? To use it correctly. We all know the faith I have in JS to build an O Line, but let's hope he bucks the trend.

[Gametime]

We could have a young Tom Brady but we’re still doomed to mediocrity if we don’t significantly upgrade the offensive line. There’s a reason our line is rated as poorly as it is

This is an issue for John. His evaluation of linemen suck. He has to change his process. It has been a very bad process for 10+ years. He can't keep blaming Pete and or old Oline coaches, he is the issue. Last draft just proved the issue that has been here for 10 years. The same evaluation problem is still here with Pete gone. 2 centers came in and one got traded and the other quit mid season. Then you have the two Hayes and Lumea. And the beat goes on for crappy evaluation. Laken too. It shows the issue all along on evaluation was John nobody else.

[Cascade Kid]

Hopefully JS is seeing a higher ceiling in Darnold, because it's difficult not to see how low Sam's floor is. Therefore, I'm not a huge fan of this signing yet. Or perhaps this continues a new trend JS discovered, in which teams will just scout and acquire former Jets QBs that bust in their first three years and they have good careers.

How I see it, this signing could go two completely different directions given Darnold's career thus far. Even though he played behind a pretty good o-line he still took 48 sacks in 2024 (about par on Geno's sack numbers in 2024, while Geno played behind a horrible OL). Darnold also had just one season that he threw over a 60% completion rate. And just one season in which he played every game.

But something I found interesting is that Sam Darnold's Int% dropped from either side of 3%, to slightly under league average 2.2%. Not quite as low as Russell Wilson's Int% or Geno in '22 or '23, but not terrible either. There is a strong correlation between Darnold's prowess and the OL's and WR's he's played with. I would imagine the next move is to fill these holes in FA and draft.

So, on one hand, if Darnold can continue to grow and improve similar to last year (though I don't think he throws it 545 times) he should carry the Seahawks to a Wild Card season with the potential of heading to a divisional round. However, the Hawks must insert a good interior OL and add depth back to WR to allow this to happen

On the other hand, Darnold regresses behind a supporting cast that is worse than the 2024 Vikings, and the Hawks lose 10 or 11 games in 2025. This would be the worst of the worst case scenerios. It would not provide a top 5 draft pick in 2026 to rebuild and draft a future starting QB that could compete for a championship. However, if depth isn't added back to the WR room, and OL remains in shambles. Seahawks lose 13 games and perhaps they can finish rebuilding this team with a top 5 pick in 2026.

I do think it's a missed opportunity to tank a bit in 2025 and scoop up one of these QBs in the 2026 draft. I just don't see a Super Bowl with Darnold. And Sam may get too expensive to retain if he plays decently while JS rebuilds the trenches and continues to rebuild the defense.

[seattlefan-daBronx]

Perfect stop gap until we get a young stud. I'm hoping for more from him though!

Let's build a freakin WALL for him to throw over. Someone get Trump to consult with the new OC.

[roosevelt]

Clearly, Darnold didn't factor in Seattle's woeful offensive line. That would be a red flag to a free agent

I do respect Darnold"s TD to INT statistics.

[Donn Beach]

We could have a young Tom Brady but we’re still doomed to mediocrity if we don’t significantly upgrade the offensive line. There’s a reason our line is rated as poorly as it is

This is an issue for John. His evaluation of linemen suck. He has to change his process. It has been a very bad process for 10+ years. He can't keep blaming Pete and or old Oline coaches, he is the issue. Last draft just proved the issue that has been here for 10 years. The same evaluation problem is still here with Pete gone. 2 centers came in and one got traded and the other quit mid season. Then you have the two Hayes and Lumea. And the beat goes on for crappy evaluation. Laken too. It shows the issue all along on evaluation was John nobody else.

I don't think it's poor evaluation, it's the return on their investment. When they drafted in the first round they've done alright, and they have signed decent free agents. But they spend a lot of time drafting in the lower rounds and signing budget free agents, that's cost them

[douche]

Darnold will be a game manager as the team leans on the defense to keep games close (sound familiar?) and winnable while the offense finds it’s identity and replenishes the WR/int oline/TE rooms.

Agreed. He won't be putting the team on his back.

[Seattle or Bust]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOr5QrQ0sGk

What about this tape says Sam Darnold is a "game manager" ??? lol