The Seattle Seahawks have made their call under center, and it's a vote of confidence for Sam Darnold. Head coach Mike Macdonald put an end to the swirling quarterback controversy on Monday, confirming that Darnold will lead the offense into Sunday's showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The decision comes on the heels of a frustrating Thursday night loss to the Denver Broncos, where Darnold's two interceptions—including a costly overtime pick that set up the game-winning field goal—left fans and analysts questioning his grip on the starting job. Despite completing 27 of 51 passes for 278 yards, the lack of touchdowns and the turnovers were glaring.
Darnold took full responsibility after the game, acknowledging the weight of his mistakes. "When you have a defense and special teams group that’s playing the way they are for us, for me, I’ve just got to protect the football," he said. "Dropping back and taking what they give me, I feel like I did a pretty good job of that in the first half, and then late in the second half, those two plays, you can’t have it."
NFL insider Mike Florio had floated the idea of a mid-season switch to Drew Lock, who filled in admirably in Weeks 1 and 2. Florio noted that benching Darnold could signal the end of his tenure in Seattle, given the structure of his contract—a $35.5 million compensation for 2027 that isn't guaranteed, plus a $10 million roster bonus due in March. "The Seahawks may ultimately decide to ride or die with Darnold for the rest of the season," Florio wrote, "But they at least need to have the conversation about making a switch."
Macdonald, however, isn't entertaining that conversation publicly. In an interview with Seattle Sports, he made it clear that Darnold is his guy, putting to rest any immediate speculation. This vote of confidence comes despite Darnold's seven interceptions in six games this season—a stark contrast to his stellar 2025 campaign when he completed 67.7% of his passes for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, including a memorable NFC Championship performance against the Rams.
The Seahawks' offensive struggles have been a talking point all season, and Darnold's turnover issues have only amplified the noise. "It’s BS for me to keep turning the ball over," he admitted. "It’s not fair to our defense. It’s not fair to our special teams. It’s not fair to our entire team. I’ve got to be better."
With the Chiefs looming, Darnold has a prime opportunity to silence his critics. Kansas City's defense has been vulnerable at times, and a strong outing could go a long way in restoring faith in the Seahawks' passing game. The team's playoff hopes hinge on Darnold finding his rhythm and protecting the football.
Seattle's decision to stick with Darnold isn't just about this week—it's a statement about their long-term vision. By backing their quarterback, they're betting on his ability to bounce back, much like he did last season. The pressure is on, but Darnold has shown he can rise to the occasion.
For now, the Seahawks are moving forward with their starter, and the message is clear: this is Darnold's team. Whether he can deliver against the Chiefs remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—all eyes will be on Seattle's signal-caller come Sunday.
