Sam Darnold was one of the biggest names on the free-agent market this offseason after an impressive 2024 campaign with the Minnesota Vikings.
Darnold threw for a career-best 4,319 yards with 35 touchdowns in his lone season with the Vikings. The quarterback parlayed that performance into a three-year, $100.5 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
However, one NFL writer believes Darnold made the wrong choice in free agency.
Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report identified several free agents who picked the wrong teams to sign with. Darnold was included, and Sobleski offered the following analysis:
Seattle still made plenty of sense because Darnold will continue to play in a similar scheme to one where he excelled with the Minnesota Vikings and his runway to become the Seahawks’ long-term starter is significant.
However, the Seahawks weren’t the best option for immediate success.
Seattle’s offensive interior remains a mess. Furthermore, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are now gone. Yes, Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdez-Scantling have been brought in as fellow free-agent signings. But the former has missed at least five regular-season games for three straight years, while the latter has never been a well-rounded threat.
The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to search for their starting quarterback, and they were also interested in Darnold.
As Sobleski pointed out, the Seahawks’ offense has undergone some big changes this offseason. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett were replaced by Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and it’s hard to see that being an upgrade.
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Additionally, the Seahawks have a questionable offensive line situation. Charles Cross is solid at left tackle and Abraham Lucas, when healthy, can suffice at right tackle. However, both guard spots and center are huge question marks for the 2025 season.
With the Steelers also rumored to have been interested in Darnold, it’s hard to argue that Pittsburgh wouldn’t have provided a better situation.
The Steelers have a great wide receiver duo in Metcalf and George Pickens, a decent offensive line, a solid defense, and one of the most respected head coaches in the league. However, Sobleski mentioned the Seahawks were the most clear-cut long-term starting option for Darnold, which was likely the difference.
With all of these changes, many likely won’t predict the Seahawks to contend in 2025. However, not many predicted Darnold and the Vikings to have the season they did in 2024, so you never know what could happen.
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