Sam Darnold has never been big on narratives when it comes to the ups and downs of his eight-year NFL career.
"For me, I never paid attention to stuff like that," Darnold said after the Seahawks wrapped up their fifth practice of training camp. "I've been very confident in myself. I've been very confident in my teammates and the coaches that I have. I don't allow myself to really pay attention to anything like that."
But even if Darnold did care about the narratives—he's been labeled as everything from a top prospect and the third-overall pick to a bust; he's been traded and he's been a backup; he's been a feel-good comeback story and he's been a Pro-Bowler; he's been unable to win the big game, and then he won the biggest of games, including a Super Bowl—the Seahawks' veteran quarterback would be running out of questions to answer or doubters to prove wrong when it comes to his career.
Over the last two seasons, Darnold has been selected to two Pro-Bowls, he has gone 28-6 in the regular season, then last season, his first in Seattle, he helped lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory, playing turnover free football over the course of three postseason games, including a masterful three-touchdown, 346-yard performance in a shootout with last year's MVP, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, in the NFC championship game.
Darnold has, by just about any measure, one of the best quarterback résumés in the NFL over the past two seasons, but by no means does that make him complacent heading into his second season with the Seahawks.
"I think I can always get better," Darnold said. "There were a lot of things for me like moving on in my progressions and working from one field to the to the other. I felt like I was throwing behind some targets, especially if I was going left to right. There were a couple throws in the Super Bowl that I'd like to have back, and then not only during the Super Bowl, but before that as well, where I just missed some guys going through my progressions. So, I think just being calm with my feet and making sure my feet don't get super wide. A lot of guys like to keep their base wide, but my base has always been wide, and sometimes I get too wide. So, just making sure that I keep my base with the hip width apart, is going to make me a little bit more accurate. Just working on little things like that and always working on the deep ball every offseason as well."
Despite Darnold's extensive experience, having played eight seasons in the NFL for five different teams, the fact that he's still only 29 years old, not to mention the complexities of the position he plays, means it's entirely plausible, if not likely, that he isn't done growing as a quarterback.
"There's always going to be (room to improve)," Darnold said. "This game is so tough, so difficult, and there's so much that goes on for us as quarterbacks mentally. I think making sure when we get to the game that everything physically is just muscle memory, and that's why you work so hard in the offseason so that you're not thinking about those things when you get out there on Sunday."
It also helps that Darnold is with the same team for consecutive seasons for the first time since he spent 2021 and part of 2022 in Carolina, especially because there is a ton of continuity on offense for the Seahawks, who return 10 of 11 starters from their Super Bowl win, including the entire offensive line, as well as a lot of key depth players beyond those starters. And while the offensive coordinator changed this offseason, with Brian Fleury replacing Klint Kubiak, there should be plenty of carryover from last year's offense to this year's, a nice change of pace for Darnold, who is on his seventh offensive coordinator in as many seasons.
"Having that stability and understanding what you're coming back to, also with Fleury, the offense is not changing a ton—there's some tweaks here and there, but it's nice to be back with the same guys," Darnold said.
And Darnold's familiarity with his teammates and the scheme is showing up early in his second camp in Seattle. Last year, with the entire offense learning a completely new offense and with newcomers at several key positions, including quarterback, two of the top three receiver spots, as well as left guard and center, the offense had some early ups and downs while competing against a loaded Seahawks defense. In this year's camp, Darnold and company look far more polished one week into things.
"I'll tell you right now, he's being really decisive with the ball, taking care of the ball, making great decisions," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "He's playing fast. He's being aggressive when he needs to be. He's doing a lot of great things. He's got great command, his process is really cool. The thing I appreciate about Sam—a lot of quarterbacks, but you can't speak for everybody—but just every rep is a rep. If it's in the quarterback room and they're going over the script, he treats that rep the same as he does here. If it's practiced online or we're a game, it's all the same. That's the mental approach that we want all of our guys to take."
The Seahawks participated in their first padded practice of training camp on Thursday, July 30 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Andre Fuller (35) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Uso Seumalo (92) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (87) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Amari Kight (79) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Beau Stephens (60) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (33) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (87) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashad Rochelle (35) and cornerback Michael Dansby (37) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashad Rochelle (35) and cornerback Michael Dansby (37) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashad Rochelle (35) and cornerback Michael Dansby (37) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) and safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Deven Eastern (97)practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Aidan Hubbard (93) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Kyle Duplessis (25) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Beau Stephens (60) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Andre Fuller (35) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Andre Fuller (35) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Andre Fuller (35) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and running back George Holani (36) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (33) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (87) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (27) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jacardia Wright (31) and linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) and linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (33) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (27)practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (33) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety AJ Finley (30) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
