The Minnesota Vikings will never truly get vindication over letting Sam Darnold walk in free agency following a historic 14-win season in 2024, not after he led the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl win in 2025.
However, Darnold’s second season is off to an ominous start.
On the Seahawks’ opening drive of their season opener against the New England Patriots–a rematch of last year’s Super Bowl–Darnold suffered an injury, later identified as a hip issue.
“Yikes: Seahawks QB Sam Darnold is limping and grimacing walking out of the blue medical tent,” Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein posted on X on September 9, including a video of the former Vikings’ exit.
“@Seahawks injury update: QB Sam Darnold is Questionable (hip),” Seahawks PR posted.
Prime Video’s Kaylee Hartung reported that Darnold was receiving X-rays, fueling speculation that the Seahawks feared a hip fracture.
The Seahawks later ruled Darnold out before the half, adding to the fears.
Ex-Vikings QB Sam Darnold Gets Hurt in Season-Opener
The Seahawks turned to former Denver Broncos draft pick Drew Lock. Darnold made his way toward the Seahawks’ locker room for further examination.
The Vikings passed on re-signing Darnold in 2025, opting to clear a path for 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy. Darnold went on to win the Super Bowl. McCarthy struggled through an injury-marred second season after missing his rookie campaign due to an injury.
Now, McCarthy is the Vikings’ QB3.
The broadcast noted that this was the first time since the 2021-22 season that Darnold was enjoying back-to-back seasons in the same place.
Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy Linked Forever
Darnold signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seahawks in free agency in 2025. The Vikings have moved on, signing former Arizona Cardinals starter, ex-No. 1 overall pick, and two-time Pro Bowler Kyler Murray. He has earned their QB1 spot.
Former No. 2 overall pick and Super Bowl champion (backup) Carson Wentz is QB2.
What that means for McCarthy’s future with the Vikings remains to be seen, but his and Darnold’s stories are intrinsically linked after their shared time in Minnesota.
Seahawks Announce Bad Injury News on Former Vikings QB Sam Darnold