Unreal Scenario Floated for Sam Darnold
The Seattle Seahawks have a 99% chance of reaching the postseason next month, but according to some fringe theorists, the team’s quarterback could be released during the offseason. He’s Sam Darnold, who used to play for the Minnesota Vikings.
An unreal scenario has been floated for Seahawks QB Sam Darnold, with the possibility of him being cut now entering the conversation.
Darnold’s team is cruising through 14 weeks, equipped with a 10-3 record, but some evidently believe his recent or eventual performance could toss him on the free-agent wire in February or March.
Sam Darnold as a Cut Candidate?
The guy isn’t a superstar, but an outright roster release would be weird.
ESPN Floats Offseason Roster Cut for Darnold
This one is really wild. ESPN’s Dan Graziano authored a full article about possible 2026 offseason roster cuts, along with a few trade theories.
Regarding Darnold, Graziano opined, “Darnold signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seahawks in free agency this year. He is under contract for a very reasonable $28 million in 2026 and $45.7 million in 2027. But as is the Seahawks’ policy with veteran contracts, none of the money beyond the first year was guaranteed at signing.”
“If Darnold is still on the Seahawks’ roster five days after the Super Bowl (so, Feb. 13), then $17.5 million of his 2026 compensation becomes fully guaranteed. But if they were to cut him before that, they wouldn’t owe even one more penny and would be on the hook for just $25.6 million in dead money.”
The Seahawks seemed to have allowed themselves an escape hatch.
Graziano continued, “Now, the Seahawks are one of the best teams in the league, and Darnold is a big part of the reason why. He’s ninth in QBR at 64.3 and completing 68.3% of his throws. Odds are the Seahawks keep him for 2026. But they build these contracts this way on purpose — to give themselves maximum flexibility.”
“If the Seahawks decide Darnold isn’t their guy — or if they find someone else they think is an upgrade — they would be in position to pivot without very much financial pain.”
Darnold would likely have to flop right away in the postseason to make Graziano’s prophecy accurate. And it’s worth noting that Darnold did precisely that last year in Minnesota: he capitulated when the Vikings needed him the most.
Darnold’s 2025 Statistical Pace
Though the pace has slowed in the last month, Darnold is still banking a commendable resume in his first season with the Seahawks.
Scaled to 17 games, Darnold is on track for these numbers:
- 4,135 passing yards
- 29 Passing TDs
- 14 INTs
- 68.1% Completion
That’s a bit of a downturn from his 2024 season in Minnesota, but it certainly isn’t a quarterback to cut, especially when men like Geno Smith and Jacoby Brissett are starting around the league.
The Recent Tumble
Darnold began the season scorching hot for the first two months. No debates from anybody. He looked like the league MVP.
However, as with his time in the Twin Cities last season, the downturn has occurred over the last four weeks.
Sam Darnold,
EPA+CPOE,
NFL Ranking in 2025:
Week 1-9: 1st
Week 10-14: 15th
Darnold, though, did play quite well in Week 14 at Atlanta, as his Seahawks bulldozed Kirk Cousins’ Falcons by a score of 37-9. Darnold notched 249 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, and a 64.5 ESPN QBR.
The big verdict for Darnold will obviously arrive in the postseason.
Hot Take: Darnold Probably Won’t Be Cut
Darnold would have to be a total liability in the playoffs for Seattle to cut him. We’re talking like historically and disastrously bad. Seattle might even give him grace because a quarterback with the stomach for 4,000+ passing yards and 30 touchdowns in the regular season is hard to find.
Meanwhile, Seattle has 3rd-Round rookie Jalen Milroe on the roster. Milroe might get a look, in time, if Darnold falters.
But let’s be serious: the Seahawks won’t get rid of Darnold. He’s under contract in 2026. At the minimum, they would bring him back in 2026 with a quarterback to compete in the summer. Minnesota has already taken enough heat for letting Darnold walk in free agency. Seattle will probably take heed.
Myles Garrett Available, Too?
Graziano also floated a Myles Garrett trade, if that can be believed.
“Just in case he decides to go full Micah Parsons next offseason and force the Browns’ hand, I think it’s important to point out that his latest contract extension does not make it difficult to trade him. He is guaranteed about $62 million over the next two years, so an acquiring team would be getting a deal if he continued to play anywhere near his current level,” Graziano remarked.
“The Browns would incur around $41 million in dead cap charges if they were to trade him, which is about half of what the Broncos took in dead money when they cut Russell Wilson (and they’re 20-10 since they did that).”
Garrett is probably less likely to be traded than Darnold is released.
Graziano concluded, “I’m not saying it’s going to happen. What I am saying is that, if circumstances changed and either through Garrett’s doing or for other reasons the Browns changed their stance, the contract is tradable. What is a list like this for if not to enlighten y’all on something like that?”
Darnold will turn 29 next summer.
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