When the NFL Top 100 list dropped this week, Seahawks fans were ready to celebrate. But the rest of the football world? Not so much. Sam Darnold, fresh off a Super Bowl win and a career-best season, landed at No. 21 on the player-voted rankings — and the internet has opinions.
Darnold's 2025 campaign was nothing short of a revelation. He completed 67.7% of his passes for 4,048 yards, tossing 25 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. He guided Seattle to the NFC's top seed and then delivered a masterclass in the conference championship, going 25-of-36 for 346 yards and three scores against the Rams. That performance, plus a ring, clearly resonated with his peers.
Yet, as soon as the ranking was revealed, social media lit up with disbelief. “I think 21 is too high,” one fan posted. “This is Super Bowl recency bias, same thing that put Hurts at 9 last year.” Another fan wrote, “I know my eyes don’t deceive me is that SAM DARNOLD as the 21st BEST PLAYER IN THE NFL.”
The criticism isn't just about Darnold's placement — it's about what it represents. “Winning a Super Bowl is the most overvalued thing in the NFL,” a third fan commented. Another added, “Everyone knows how bad this list is every year but this is an all time worst ranking.”
It's a familiar debate. The same kind of backlash erupted when Joe Burrow was placed in a top tier earlier this year, with fans arguing his reputation had outpaced his resume. And the NFL Top 100 has always been a lightning rod for controversy, but Darnold's spot seems to have struck a nerve.
Still, the Seahawks' signal-caller has earned his moment. He resurrected his career in Seattle, and now he's positioned to do it again. The team returns most of its championship core, making them a favorite to repeat — and a potential Super Bowl rematch with the Patriots looms in Week 1.
If Darnold can replicate his 2025 success, his legacy will be cemented. But for now, the debate rages on: Is No. 21 too generous, or is it just the respect a champion deserves?
For more on the quarterback landscape, check out our breakdown of which signal-callers belong in the elite tier.
Seahawks fans will hope Darnold's ranking is just a preview of bigger things to come. But for the rest of the league, it's another reason to question the annual list.
