Overview
- Seattle is 12-3 with a playoff berth secured after a 38–37 overtime win over the Rams, keeping the path to the NFC’s top seed open.
- A win at Carolina would give Darnold 13 victories this season, which NBC Sports research says no quarterback has achieved in back-to-back seasons with two different teams.
- Darnold enters Week 17 at 3,703 passing yards with 24 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and a 100.6 rating in 2025 under coach Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
- Over The Cap reports he can earn about $2 million if he reaches late-season targets including roughly 300 more yards, four touchdown passes, a slight completion bump and maintaining a 100-plus passer rating.
- Returning to Charlotte highlights a formative Panthers stint that Darnold says was “huge” for his development, following a breakout 2024 in Minnesota with 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns.