The Seattle Seahawks quarterback, Sam Darnold, is preparing for a special matchup against his former team, the Minnesota Vikings. In his usual weekly press conferences, Darnold expressed his excitement for the upcoming game at Lumen Field. Darnold, who spent last season in Minnesota, showed gratitude for the time he shared with the Vikings. He highlighted the relationships built with players, coaches, and team staff. I am very grateful for the time I spent there, for all the people with whom I created relationships, for all the people in that locker room, for all the coaches, and for the people in that building. But I am very excited to be here and to continue doing what we are doing this year. After signing a one-year contract in Minnesota, Darnold’s career experienced a significant boost. Under the direction of coach Kevin O’Connell, he threw 35 touchdown passes, leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record and generating MVP expectations, which earned him a Pro Bowl selection. Darnold acknowledged his growth both on and off the field, attributing it to the guidance of excellent coaches and the company of talented players.
Despite his successful season, the Vikings chose not to retain Darnold, opting for J.J. McCarthy. The Seahawks, after negotiating with Geno Smith, decided on Darnold, signing a three-year, $100.5 million contract.
Darnold expressed his happiness at the decision to join the Seahawks and his enthusiasm for continuing to work with the team and build relationships in the locker room and with the coaching staff. Regarding the current performance, McCarthy, ranked 33rd in Total QBR, will not play on Sunday due to a concussion. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer will make his first start for the Vikings.Meanwhile, Darnold ranks sixth in Total QBR (69.5), despite some issues with turnovers. He stands out for his high completion rate (69.5%) and his average yards per attempt (9.3), leading an offense focused on the running game. In addition, he has been sacked only 11 times in 11 games, a significant improvement over the previous season.
Darnold commented on the importance of his last two games of last season.The Vikings’ defensive coordinator, Brian Flores, described Darnold as “one of my favorites,” highlighting the friendship they developed last season. Flores anticipated an aggressive approach against Darnold in the upcoming game. Minnesota’s defense, under Flores’ direction, is known for its high blitz rate, which poses a challenge for the Seahawks’ offense. Darnold acknowledged the challenge of facing Flores’ defense and the Vikings’ players, expressing his enthusiasm for the matchup.We went down that road and, in the end, I am here. What people want to say about it, is what it is. I am very grateful to be here and to be in this situation.
Sam Darnold
