The Seattle Seahawks received a candid take from quarterback Sam Darnold after their offense faltered in Monday night’s 34-17 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Darnold lamented not getting the football out quickly enough, accepting responsibility for some of the issues plaguing Seattle’s offense.
The veteran quarterback also pointed to problems with the Seahawks’ efficiency on first and second downs, as well as their continued inability to capitalize on red-zone occasions.
Sam Darnold Admits He Must Improve After Seahawks’ Loss
Darnold didn’t shy away from addressing his own shortcomings during his postgame media availability.
According to HawkMania’s account of his remarks, although Darnold indicated that the Seahawks had prepared well throughout the week, he acknowledged their performance against Chicago wasn’t good enough.
He also harped on the importance of honest self-evaluation moving forward.
“Dive deep and be honest with each other. Take a hard look at ourselves tonight and tomorrow and figure out what we can do.”
Sam Darnold says he isn’t getting the ball out in time, but he knows he needs to get the ball out.
Darnold says that it
His words surfaced after a frustrating performance in which Darnold completed just 17 of 34 passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
The Seahawks converted only one of their 11 third-down opportunities and finished with 252 yards of total offense.
Seattle’s red-zone struggles were especially noticeable. The Seahawks scored just one touchdown on four trips inside Chicago’s 20-yard line, while the Bears converted all four of their red-zone shots into touchdowns.
Seahawks’ Offensive Struggles Continue Against Bears
Darnold’s judgment reflected a showing in which Seattle toiled to sustain drives despite producing several explosive passing plays.
The quarterback connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 43-yard touchdown late in the second quarter, temporarily bringing Seattle within four points.
But the Seahawks headed into halftime trailing 13-9 and failed to score in the third quarter.
Darnold found veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. A successful two-point conversion brought Seattle within 20-17, but the Bears responded with two more touchdowns to secure the victory.
Chicago running back D’Andre Swift finished with three rushing touchdowns, while Smith-Njigba accounted for 118 receiving yards in defeat.
Darnold also faced a lot of pressure throughout the contest, with Chicago’s defensive front disrupting Seattle’s passing attack.
Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, acquired from the Tennessee Titans before the matchup, made an impact in his Chicago debut.
Seattle’s offensive line, though, was adjusting to several personnel changes, including the debut of recently acquired guard Quenton Nelson. The Seahawks were also without starting left tackle Charles Cross.
Ahead of the game, Darnold had spoken about the importance of staying ahead of the chains and improving the offense’s red-zone action.
Those same concerns resurfaced in Monday’s defeat.
Seahawks’ Sam Darnold Admits Major Problem After Bears Loss