The Seattle Seahawks have transformed their season, emerging as the top seed in the NFC with a remarkable record of 14-3. This resurgence follows a challenging start, as the team entered their bye week with a disappointing 4-5 record. Much of this turnaround can be credited to quarterback Sam Darnold, who has played a crucial role in reviving his career and leading the team to success.
Since the bye week, the Seahawks have won 20 of their last 25 regular season games, achieving three separate winning streaks of four or more games. Darnold, who previously struggled with the Minnesota Vikings, reflected on his journey, noting, “It’s just about learning from the mistakes and staying calm.” His ability to adapt and improve has been instrumental in the Seahawks’ ascent.
The team’s resilience has been evident throughout the season, with Darnold emphasizing the importance of consistent improvement. He stated that as long as the team continues to develop, they have a strong chance of securing their first playoff victory since 2016. The quarterback’s performance has not only earned him accolades but also financial rewards. Darnold surpassed the 4,000 passing yards mark for the 2025 season, triggering an additional $500,000 in bonuses as part of his contract.
This season marks a historic achievement for the Seahawks, as their 14-3 record is the best in franchise history. Previously, the team’s benchmark was 13-3 during the 16-game era. Darnold’s contributions have been significant, as he became just the sixth quarterback in the league to record over 4,000 passing yards this year. Alongside him, rookie Jaxson Smith-Njigba set a new franchise record with 1,793 receiving yards.
While offensive achievements often dominate headlines, Darnold was quick to highlight the contributions of the team’s defense. “I feel like there were a lot of opportunities missed [in the red zone], but our defense picked us up, they have been all year,” he said. His acknowledgment of the defensive unit underscores the collaborative effort behind the Seahawks’ success.
With the regular season concluded, Darnold and the Seahawks now face an important postseason. They will aim to leverage their strong performance as they pursue a Super Bowl appearance, a feat that has eluded the franchise since their last top seed in 2014. The upcoming playoff matches will be critical as the team seeks to turn their regular season success into postseason triumph.
As the Seahawks prepare for their next challenge, Darnold’s growth as a player and leader will be central to their strategy. With a renewed sense of purpose and determination, Seattle fans have much to look forward to in the coming weeks.
