Overview
- Sam Darnold told reporters he will prioritize throwing the ball away or taking a sack rather than forcing passes as a direct response to his interception problem.
- Darnold has thrown seven interceptions this season, with six of those picks coming in Seattle’s three losses and turnovers accounting for a large share of the team’s early setbacks.
- Head coach Mike Macdonald has kept Darnold as the starter and offensive coordinator Brian Fleury declined to single out the quarterback, saying ball security is a unit responsibility.
- League data cited by coverage shows Darnold’s pressure rate climbed to about 42.7%, with more pressures turning into sacks, and Seattle has used extra prep time to study protection and third‑down tendencies.
- Seattle’s matchup with Kansas City will be the near‑term gauge of these fixes because coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s varied pressure schemes could expose any remaining protection or decision‑making flaws and further affect the defense and special teams.