Less than a year after signing what many viewed as a risky deal, Sam Darnold is a Super Bowl champion — and he says the Seattle Seahawks weren’t ready for the ride to end. Darnold guided Seattle to a commanding 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8, capping a season that transformed his narrative from journeyman to champion.
Speaking Tuesday to Fox News Digital during a promotional appearance, the quarterback reflected on both the decision to sign a three-year, $100.5 million contract last March and the mindset inside Seattle’s locker room after the win.
“Clearly, I made the right decision,” Darnold said of joining the Seahawks. “It’s been a very special ride with this group. It’s funny, I feel like after the Super Bowl, even, we all wanted to play another game. Maybe not physically, but mentally, emotionally, we’re still in it.”
It’s not surprising they might feel that way after such a dominant win. And, when you’ve worked that hard and come together as a group, when it ends in the best possible way, it can be hard to come down from that high. The fans were largely to thank for that as well. “They’ve shown up for us all season, all the way to the end. So, I’m very thankful to be playing here in Seattle with these fans.”
Seattle’s defense controlled the game for more than three quarters. Offensively, running back Kenneth Walker III earned Super Bowl MVP honors after rushing for 135 yards. Darnold played relatively mistake-free football and avoided turnovers.
For much of his career, it appeared Darnold would be remembered as one of the league’s biggest draft disappointments. However, the NFL championship marked a dramatic redemption after cycling through stints with the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and Minnesota Vikings. Once labeled a bust, this was his comeback story.
“I really think it’s about believing in yourself and taking it one day at a time,” Darnold said. “Continue to be yourself in any situation and always believe in yourself.”
Sam Darnold Earned This Feeling
Selected No. 3 overall by the New York Jets in 2018 out of USC, Darnold entered the NFL labeled a franchise savior. Instead, his first six seasons were marked by inconsistency, turnovers — including the infamous “seeing ghosts” game against the New England Patriots. He went 13-25 as a starter with the Jets before being traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2021 for a modest return.
A brief resurgence in Minnesota hinted at untapped potential, but it wasn’t until he signed with the Seahawks in 2025 that everything clicked.
In his first season in Seattle, Darnold threw for more than 4,000 yards, led the Seahawks to a 14-3 record and delivered a poised performance in Super Bowl LX. Practically overnight, the narrative flipped — from bust to champion. It was one of the most remarkable quarterback turnarounds in recent NFL memory.
Now, being himself includes being a Super Bowl champion — and possibly the leader of a team already thinking about what comes next.
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