It has been a challenging week for Sam Darnold, but the good news is that the Seattle Seahawks quarterback has the full support of future wife Katie Hoofnagle. Darnold sustained a late oblique injury just days before the Seahawks took on the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.
As the new year begins, it is worth remember that 2025 had some major changes for Darnold. Not only did Darnold move on from the Minnesota Vikings to sign with the Seahawks, but the Pro Bowler also proposed to Hoofnagle weeks before training camp.
Hoofnagle made it clear that she gave Darnold the answer the quarterback was hoping for ahead of the NFL season. Back in July, Darnold’s fiancee took to Instagram to share the news and expressed her excitement with just one word.
“YES!!!!! Hoofnagle exclaimed in a July 7, 2025, message on Instagram while holding up her new engagement ring.
For those keeping track at home, that is five exclamation points from the future Mrs. Darnold.
Here’s what you need to know about Darnold and Hoofnagle.
Sam Darnold’s Longtime Girlfriend Katie Hoofnagle Quotes Marshawn Lynch on Her Instagram Page
No word yet on when the wedding will take place for Darnold and Hoofnagle, but something tells us it will not happen during the football season. It did not take long for Hoofnagle to endear herself to the 12s. Hoofnagle’s Instagram profile features a legendary quote from Seahawks legend Marshawn Lynch.
“I’m here so I won’t get fined,” Hoofnagle’s profile notes, paraphrasing Lynch’s viral quote.
Fans may remember Lynch showing up to mandatory media sessions to avoid getting fined. As for Darnold, the quarterback is hoping to have a long career in the Pacific Northwest.
Darnold just posted his second straight Pro Bowl season. The quarterback signed a three-year, $100 million contract with the Seahawks during NFL free agency in 2025.
Sam Darnold on Future Wife Katie: ‘The support [From] My Girlfriend is Unbelievable’
After being a touted NFL draft prospect in 2018, Darnold has bounced around trying to solidify himself as a starting quarterback. After things did not go as planned, Darnold had stints with the 49ers, Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings.
Now, Darnold with the Seahawks appears to have staying power. After inking a long-term deal with Seattle, Darnold discussed the impact this security had on his relationship as well.
“The support [from] my girlfriend is unbelievable,” Darnold explained US Weekly’s Daniel Trainor during a March 15, 2025, interview. “The fact that she just understands it. She’s a former athlete herself, and just gets kind of the grind of everything.
“When I just want to chill, she’s very up for that, especially during the season. …She’s great. She’s always been my biggest supporter. And I love her, and I thank her for that all the time.”
Darnold is likely hoping the couple can “chill” after winning the Super Bowl. Even so, this may not last long amid the couple’s wedding plans.
Sam Darnold’s Future Wife Katie Hoofnagle Had 1 Word on Plans With Seahawks QB