Analysts Question Sam Darnold's Future After 20-Turnover Season and Seahawks Super Bowl Win
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Sep 9
Analysts Question Sam Darnold's Future After 20-Turnover Season and Seahawks Super Bowl Win
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Sep 9
Summary
Sam Darnold enters Seattle's season-opening Super Bowl rematch with New England facing fresh doubts about whether his championship run proved he is a long-term franchise quarterback.
Twenty turnovers last regular season — 14 interceptions and six lost fumbles — remain the central concern, even after Darnold capped the year by leading the Seahawks to an unexpected title.
His supporters can point to a turnaround against the Rams, including a Week 16 win after earlier struggles, but critics note he has benefited from strong rosters in Minnesota and Seattle.
Seattle's supporting cast is not expected to erode much in 2026, yet analysts argue Darnold still needs a second straight high-level season to show the Super Bowl was not an outlier.