Sam Darnold delivered one of the most impressive performances of his nascent Seahawks career on Thursday night, helping Seattle escape with a dramatic 23-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The icing on the quarterback’s performance was the clutch play that came after the Seahawks’ defense surrendered 17 unanswered points to let Arizona tie the game in the fourth quarter.
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But Darnold stayed composed. With 23 seconds left and the score still tied, he connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a perfectly placed 22-yard back-shoulder throw. That set up Jason Myers’ game-winning 52-yard field goal as time expired.
The 28-year-old Darnold, who joined the Seahawks this year from the Vikings, finished the night 18-of-26 for 242 yards and a touchdown. With the win and another strong showing through the air, Darnold now leads the NFL in passing yards this season, overtaking Justin Herbert.
Darnold has racked up 905 passing yards through four games this year, while Herbert sits just behind at 860 yards. And Seattle’s front office is betting big on Darnold after his resurgent season in Minnesota last year.
Sam keeping it 💯 #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/yOzcvlURwh
— NFL GameDay (@NFLGameDay) September 26, 2025
The Seahawks signed Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million contract in March. Though the deal includes a potential out after one season, the Seahawks were clear that they are looking at him as their long-term answer if he could replicate his 2024 form.
So far, Darnold has delivered. Through four games, he has thrown five touchdowns against just two interceptions, leading Seattle to a 3-1 record in the NFC West. Coach Mike Macdonald has been impressed not just with the numbers, but with Darnold’s poise and leadership:
“Sam’s playing out of his mind right now. You see him, he’s such a cool customer. He’s on a mission, and he’s doing a great job leading us,” said Macdonald.
For Darnold, this season represents a remarkable turnaround. A former No. 3 overall pick by the New York Jets in 2018, his career appeared to be on the verge of collapse after disappointing stints in New York and Carolina. But a fresh start in Minnesota in 2024 revived his confidence, mechanics, and decision-making, culminating in a Pro Bowl selection.
In Seattle, he’s taken another step forward. Darnold’s improved ability to escape pressure and extend plays has allowed the Seahawks’ young weapons to thrive. And his command of the offense has silenced early doubts about whether he could handle the pressure of a lucrative new deal.
While the season is still young, leading the league in passing yards is no small feat for a player once seen as a reclamation project. If he continues this pace, Darnold won’t just be proving doubters wrong. He’ll be firmly in the conversation as one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks in 2025.
Seattle sits at 3-1, right in the thick of the NFC playoff picture. And with Darnold leading the charge, the offense appears to be trending upward.
The quarterback’s confidence, consistency, and ability to deliver in clutch moments are giving the Seahawks exactly what they hoped for when they made the bold move to hand him the starting job. Not to mention the big contract that came with it.
