Story by
Sam Darnold Playing for Super Bowl After Leaving MN Vikings
- Story by
- Sam Darnold Playing for Super Bowl After Leaving MN Vikings
Steven Bisig-Imagn Images Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings used a first round draft pick on J.J. McCarthy in 2024. Their intention was to land a franchise quarterback that could reset the position from a financial outlay. Unfortunately he suffered a season-ending injury during the preseason and Sam Darnold took over.
Not only did the former third overall pick find himself starting for the Vikings , but he led them to a 14-3 record . The final two games didn't go well and it had fans believing the time had come to move on. Minnesota offered Darnold a sizable short-term deal , but he went to get paid by the Seattle Seahawks .
Advertisement
He is now one win from a Super Bowl ring.
Related Headlines
MN Vikings watching Darnold on the doorstep
Facing Sean McVay, the man Kevin O'Connell worked under, Sam Darnold had home field advantage for the NFC Championship on Sunday night. The Seattle Seahawks are the top seed in the conference, and it was his performance that sent them to the Super Bowl.
NFC Championship Sam Darnold so far:
19/27
291 yards
3 TDs
LARvsSEA on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/SCO9kKfduY— NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2026
Darnold posted another 14-3 season in 2025 with the Seahawks. He bested the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round, and then knocked off another rival in the Los Angeles Rams this weekend.
Facing McVay and the Rams, Darnold turned in one of his best performances of the season. Completing 25-of-36 passes for 346 yards, he threw three touchdowns and had zero turnovers. To say it was a vindicating and career-altering performance would be putting it lightly.
Advertisement
The former Minnesota Vikings quarterback watched McCarthy go up in flames and took his new team to the ultimate matchup. Seattle moved on from veteran starter Geno Smith while opting for Darnold, and he proved them absolutely right in the process.
Can Sam Darnold go get a ring?
It was always going to be an uphill battle for the Denver Broncos to win during championship weekend without starting quarterback Bo Nix . Unfortunately Jarrett Stidham didn't get the job done, and the weather didn't help either. Drake Maye , who was in the Vikings crosshairs prior to selecting McCarthy, will meet Sam Darnold in the Super Bowl.
Fan Duel Sportsbook has Darnold and the Seahawks as 4.5 point favorites against New England in the Super Bowl. That number will change in the next two weeks, but it's absolutely noteworthy.
Advertisement
The Minnesota Vikings opted against bringing back Darnold and finished with a 9-8 record while missing the playoffs. Meanwhile their 14-3 reigning quarterback led his new team to the Super Bowl and is favored to win it.
We might win one here before we all die, but Darnold getting the job done would represent quite the storyline.
Related Headlines
