Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold is receiving praise for not just helping his team with a standout performance in the NFC title game against the Los Angeles Rams, but for how he’s turned his career around.
After Darnold left the New York Jets, he had the bust label on him. However, after spending the 2023 season with the San Francisco 49ers and an amazing 2024 campaign with the Minnesota Vikings, the former USC Trojan product’s career began to make a U-turn.
Darnold signed with the Seahawks last season, and it’s been a marriage that has led to a Super Bowl appearance in Year 1. During a Jan. 27 appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” 49ers legend Joe Montana shared his thoughts on Darnold’s turnaround.
“I’m all for Sam Darnold,” Montana said. “The things that he’s been through, the places that he’s played, the games that he’s won, even here in San Francisco before he got to Minnesota. I mean, come on.
“I saw the stat the other day on Sunday. He’s won 28 games in the last two teams he was with, and he’s now getting another chance here, and he’s doing the same thing. And I’m pulling for him. I’m an NFC guy most of the time anyway, but I’m all about Sam. He’s a good guy, good player, and I’m happy for him.”
Richard Sherman Gets Honest About Sam Darnold
Former Seahawks standout Richard Sherman didn’t mince words about the team making it back to the Super Bowl, as he highlighted the play of quarterback Sam Darnold.
First, Sherman focused on Darnold’s performance for silencing his naysayers who didn’t believe he would reach the Super Bowl.
“Sam Darnold could not have played a better game,” Sherman said in a Jan. 26 video from “The Richard Sherman Podcast.” “You talk about beating the allegations. Sam Darnold can’t play against the Rams; Sam Darnold can’t play in the playoffs.
“Sam Darnold can’t play in the clutch [and] Sam Darnold is on his way to the Super Bowl. [Darnold went] 25 [of] 36, 346 yards, three touchdowns. Guess how many interceptions? Zero. Zilch. “
Sam Darnold Keeps Focus on Seahawks Team
Darnold went 25-for-36 on his pass attempts for 346 passing yards and three touchdowns against the Rams. However, he didn’t put the spotlight on himself or his journey as he kept the focus on the team when speaking to FOX Sports after the game.
“It’s amazing to be able to do it with these guys in this locker room, with this coaching staff,“ Darnold told FOX Sports postgame. “That’s why it means the world to me… I haven’t really thought about [his journey to the Super Bowl] much, to be honest, but I take it one day at a time. That’s it, one day at a time, every single day. Like I said, to be able to do it, it’s a special group, and I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else.”
Nonetheless, Darnold will be looking to finish this amazing turnaround with a Super Bowl trophy and show that even though a player stumbles out of the gate, they can definitely bounce back in the right circumstances.
Joe Montana Doesn’t Hold Back on Seahawks QB Sam Darnold