Couldn't have been much fun for theNew York Jets. OrCarolina Panthers. OrMinnesota Vikings. Those NFL franchises have all had Darnold on their roster at some point during his peripatetic career but don't now. Those clubs have also combined for zero Lombardi Trophies since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger … and will carry that collective doughnut for another year while Darnold, now a two-time Pro Bowler, is fitted for his first ring.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) makes a catch against New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) during the first quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) runs against New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) during the first quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)
Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) makes a catch against New England Patriots safety Craig Woodson (31) and cornerback Marcus Jones (25) during the first quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)
Seattle Seahawks place kicker Jason Myers (5) celebrates with fullback Brady Russell (38) after kicking a field goal against the New England Patriots during the first quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the first quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) celebrates against the New England Patriots in the first half in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) celebrate a stop against the New England Patriots in the first half in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws a pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
New England Patriots safety Craig Woodson (31) reacts after a play against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) breaks up a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) in the first half in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) react after a play during the first quarter against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Cary Edmondson, Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images)
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs against New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) during the second quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
Jason Myers #5 of the Seattle Seahawks kicks a field goal against the New England Patriots during the first quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.
(Ishika Samant, Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the second quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) reacts after sacking New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the second quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)
Sam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks calls out orders from the line of scrimmage during the first quarter of Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
1/16
Super Bowl 60: Check out best photos from Seahawks vs Patriots
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) makes a catch against New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) during the first quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
1/16
Super Bowl 60: Check out best photos from Seahawks vs Patriots
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) makes a catch against New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) during the first quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
2/16
Super Bowl 60: Check out best photos from Seahawks vs Patriots
Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) runs against New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) during the first quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)
3/16
Super Bowl 60: Check out best photos from Seahawks vs Patriots
Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) makes a catch against New England Patriots safety Craig Woodson (31) and cornerback Marcus Jones (25) during the first quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)
4/16
Super Bowl 60: Check out best photos from Seahawks vs Patriots
Seattle Seahawks place kicker Jason Myers (5) celebrates with fullback Brady Russell (38) after kicking a field goal against the New England Patriots during the first quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)
5/16
Super Bowl 60: Check out best photos from Seahawks vs Patriots
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the first quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)
6/16
Super Bowl 60: Check out best photos from Seahawks vs Patriots
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) celebrates against the New England Patriots in the first half in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images)
7/16
Super Bowl 60: Check out best photos from Seahawks vs Patriots
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) celebrate a stop against the New England Patriots in the first half in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
8/16
Super Bowl 60: Check out best photos from Seahawks vs Patriots
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws a pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
9/16
Super Bowl 60: Check out best photos from Seahawks vs Patriots
New England Patriots safety Craig Woodson (31) reacts after a play against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
10/16
Super Bowl 60: Check out best photos from Seahawks vs Patriots
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) breaks up a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) in the first half in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
11/16
Super Bowl 60: Check out best photos from Seahawks vs Patriots
Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) react after a play during the first quarter against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Cary Edmondson, Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images)
12/16
Super Bowl 60: Check out best photos from Seahawks vs Patriots
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs against New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) during the second quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
13/16
Super Bowl 60: Check out best photos from Seahawks vs Patriots
Jason Myers #5 of the Seattle Seahawks kicks a field goal against the New England Patriots during the first quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.
(Ishika Samant, Getty Images)
14/16
Super Bowl 60: Check out best photos from Seahawks vs Patriots
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the second quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)
15/16
Super Bowl 60: Check out best photos from Seahawks vs Patriots
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) reacts after sacking New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the second quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
(Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)
16/16
Super Bowl 60: Check out best photos from Seahawks vs Patriots
Sam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks calls out orders from the line of scrimmage during the first quarter of Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
Sunday also couldn't have been all that much fun forBaker Mayfield. OrJosh Allen. OrLamar Jackson. Like Darnold, they were all first-round drafts picks in 2018. Unlike Darnold, who was also a member of theSan Francisco 49erswhen they were NFC champions in 2023, that trio has combined to win three league MVP awards … while making zero Super Sunday appearances.
"I didn't not believe that I would be (the first 2018 QB champion)," Darnold smiled. "It's special, man. And it's not about that – to me, it's never been about that. I'm just doing the best that I can. Because, every single day, I want to be the best quarterback for theSeattle Seahawks– that's really what it comes down to."
Mission basically accomplished.
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Darnold didn't exactly deliver a signature performance Sunday, completing half of his 38 throws for 202 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown strike to tight endAJ Barnerthat broke the game open in the fourth quarter.
Yet Darnold also bucked his early career reputation for carelessness with the ball that carried over from his time at USC – instead protecting the pigskin, not committing a turnover (he didn't have one in the playoffs after leading the NFL with 20 in the regular season) and only taking one sack. Meanwhile, hisNew Englandcounterpart,Drake Maye– an MVP finalist in 2025 – had three giveaways while getting bagged six times by Seattle's swarming defense, not that Maye could be blamed for the constant jailbreaks he faced.
"I didn't have my best stuff today, but the team had my back – our defense and special teams," said Darnold, whose unspectacular performance was perfectly sufficient for a Seattle juggernaut that didn't need anything more from him.
"We just played how we always play, we were resilient and we came out on top. So, it was pretty special."
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Yet his success was also special for Seahawks players who have universally come to adore their quarterback even though he hasn't been on the roster for even 11 months.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Sam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates after defeating the New England Patriots 29-13 to win Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
"Unbelievable story. I don't think there's a quarterback in NFL history that's done what he's done – to go through the things that he's had to go through," saidwide receiver Cooper Kupp. "To believe in himself, to overcome everyone that told him that he wasn't that guy anymore, that he couldn't be a starter.
"I'm so thankful I got to know whoSam Darnoldis as a person, because it explains everything that's happened in his career."
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Added kickerJason Myers, a teammate of Darnold during his rookie year with the Jets: "He's just one of the guys, he's just great in the locker room. I knew he'd fit in right away when we signed him here."
And with two years left on his contract and a loaded team at his back, perhaps this only the beginning of Darnold's dominant era.
"I don't think it's really hit me yet, to be honest with you," Darnold said of his career-defining moment to date.
"But it's special – this group is why it's special, the connection all of us have as players, the love that we have for each other."
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