Quarterback Sam Darnold silenced his doubters once and for all last season, leading the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl title. But could Darnold regress back to his old form during the 2026 season?
Anything is possible if pundits want to explore worst-case scenarios. That’s what Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon did for every team Friday.
Gagnon argued the “nightmare” scenario for the Seahawks is Darnold struggling without a Super Bowl MVP in his backfield this fall.
“Sam Darnold comes plummeting back to Earth without top back Kenneth Walker III, and a Super Bowl hangover keeps Seattle out of the playoffs entirely,” wrote Gagnon.
Kenneth Walker III left Seattle in NFL free agency to sign a 3-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Making matters worse, Walker’s backfield partner, Zach Charbonnet, suffered a serious knee injury in January. There’s no guaranteed Charbonnet will be in Darnold’s backfield during Week 1 either.
Could Sam Darnold Regress after Super Bowl Season?
It’s hard to reshape an early career NFL reputation, especially one created in New York.
The New York Jets selected Darnold at No. 3 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. He was expected to be the long awaited answer behind center for the franchise.
Needless to say, things didn’t work out. Darnold posted a 13-25 record over three seasons with the Jets. He struggled in his first non-Jets season too. Darnold went 4-7 while starting for the Carolina Panthers in 2021.
In those four seasons, Darnold completed under 60% of his passes with 54 touchdowns and 52 interceptions.
The past two seasons, though, Darnold has been a Pro Bowler with two different organizations. He led the Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings each to 14-3 records.
While his Vikings season in 2024 ended in a first-round playoff exit, he led the Seahawks to their second Super Bowl title last season.
Could Darnold regress back to his early career form? Sure, anything is possible. But at some point, pundits are going to have to accept this is the quarterback Darnold is now.
Darnold is still prone to the bad game now and then. In Week 11 last season, he had four interceptions with no touchdowns versus the Los Angeles Rams.
But he also has 60 touchdowns, an 8.2 yards per pass average and Super Bowl ring the past two seasons.
Seahawks RB Depth After 2026 NFL Draft
There’s another reason Seahawks fans can have confidence Darnold isn’t going to regress in 2026 — Jadarian Price and the rest of Seattle’s running backs.
The Seahawks might not have Walker or Charbonnet to begin their title defense. But first-rounder Price is set to make his NFL debut in Week 1.
This offseason, Seattle also rounded out its running back group with veterans and young potential. Most notably, the Seahawks added Emanuel Wilson in NFL free agency.
If Charbonnet isn’t ready, Wilson and Price could provide support to Darnold to ensure the quarterback doesn’t struggle in 2026.
As Notre Dame’s No. 2 running back, Price averaged six yards per carry last season. He also scored 13 total touchdowns, including 11 on the ground.
Wilson ran for between 496-502 rushing yards with the Green Bay Packers each of the past two seasons. In his three-year NFL career, Wilson has averaged 4.5 yards per carry.
The Seahawks also have running backs George Holani, Kenny McIntosh, and Jacardia Wright on their roster.
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