Overview

• Darnold’s 4-for-4, 34-yard stretch against the Chiefs prompted NFL GameDay analyst Daniel Jeremiah to call it a “nice marriage between scheme and player.”
• In interviews and training camp, the quarterback praised Seattle’s offensive line for its communication and consistency in protecting him.
• The Seahawks traded Geno Smith and surrounded Darnold with weapons including Cooper Kupp, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and rookie targets Tory Horton and Ricky White III.
• He is locked in as Seattle’s Week 1 starter on a three-year, $100.5 million contract with roughly $55 million guaranteed and a short-term escape provision.
• Despite early cohesion, ESPN’s Seth Walder and other analysts predict the team may seek a younger quarterback like LaNorris Sellers by 2027.