Darnold Confirmed as Seahawks Super Bowl Starter Sam Darnold will start for Seattle against New England in Super Bowl LX, making him the only remaining 2018 draft quarterback to reach the game after five teams and eight seasons [1]. The Seahawks entered the championship as the No. 1 seed with a 14‑3 regular‑season record and are listed as 4½‑point favorites by BetMGM [1][2]. Seattle’s opponent is the New England Patriots, led by rookie quarterback Drake Maye [2].

NFC Championship Performance Highlights Darnold’s Efficiency In the NFC championship, Darnold completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers despite an oblique injury [1][2]. His performance helped Seattle defeat the Los Angeles Rams 31‑27 and earned praise from head coach Mike Macdonald, who said “He just shut a lot of people up” [1]. The win secured Seattle’s fourth Super Bowl appearance and first since 2014 [2].

Contract and Bonus Structure Reflects Seattle’s Investment Darnold signed a three‑year, $100.5 million contract in March 2025 after stints with four other teams [1][2]. ESPN analyst Field Yates reported a $500,000 incentive for reaching the Super Bowl, adding to earlier bonuses for playoff qualification and round wins [2]. Spotrac data confirms the contract details and the financial stakes tied to Seattle’s championship run [2].

Career Trajectory Shows Unique Longevity Across Teams Drafted No. 3 overall by the New York Jets in 2018, Darnold later played for Carolina, San Francisco, Minnesota, and now Seattle, becoming the first quarterback to lead two different teams to 14 wins in consecutive seasons [1]. In 2024 with the Vikings he posted 4,319 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and a 102.5 passer rating, marking a statistical breakout [1]. All‑Pro receiver Jaxon Smith‑Njigba and coach Macdonald publicly praised his growth and belief in Seattle’s future [1].