When the Seahawks face the Panthers on Sunday, Sam Darnold will be trying to help his team win its 13th game of the season, and if Seattle can make that happen, Darnold will become just the fifth quarterback in NFL history to win at least 13 games in consecutive seasons along with Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers. Darnold, who was selected to a second straight Pro Bowl earlier this week, already became the first quarterback to win 12 or more games in consecutive seasons with two different teams.
So yes, it's safe to say a lot has changed for Darnold since the last time he played a game at Bank of America Stadium back when he was the Panthers' starting quarterback to close out the 2022 season.
Darnold, the No. 3 pick in the 2018 draft, was traded by the Jets to the Panthers in 2021, with the Jets electing to turn to that year's No. 2 pick, Zach Wilson, at quarterback. He started 12 games that season before being sidelined by an injury, then came into the 2022 season as the backup to Baker Mayfield before also dealing with a high ankle sprain suffered in the preseason. Darnold got his chance to start late in the season, and while the Panthers were out of contention, he was able to show himself, and perhaps some decision makers around the NFL, that he could be a winning quarterback. Over those final six games with Darnold starting, the Panthers went 4-2, including a win in Seattle over a playoff-bound Seahawks squad, and he threw seven touchdown passes with three interceptions over that stretch, posting a passer rating over 100 in four of those six games.
From there, Darnold spent a season in San Francisco learning under Kyle Shanahan as Brock Purdy's backup, then had his breakout Pro-Bowl season with the Vikings in 2024 before signing with the Seahawks this year, where he showed last season was anything but a fluke. And while Darnold's physical talents, work ethic and reliance very well might have helped him reach these heights regardless of what happened earlier this decade, he sees that time in Carolina as imperative for his development into the player he is now.
"The couple years in Carolina were huge for me," Darnold said this week. "First of all, I think just being around really good players, being around really good guys in the locker room, those are moments that I remember forever. Some of those guys are still some of my best friends to this day. Then just learning football. I think that first year I learned a lot about myself, just going through adversity and learning that way, and then that second year battled through an injury throughout the first half of the season. Then came out on the other side and was able to play some pretty good football towards the end of that season. I feel like that kind of gave me momentum going into that next year. So I learned a lot of good football in that last year in Carolina especially."
After tough start to his career in New York that included a 2-10 mark as a starter in 2020, Darnold wasn't thinking about what a trade to Carolina could mean from a big picture standpoint when it happened in April of 2021, but it turned out to be a positive move, not because he enjoyed immediate success with the Panthers, but because, as he detailed prior to the start of this season, he proved to himself that he could play winning football, and it gave him momentum going into what proved to be a pivotal year as a backup in San Francisco.
"For me, the way I looked at it, it was just another opportunity for me to go play good football," Darnold said of the trade to Carolina. "I didn't really think about it as a fresh start or anything like that. It was just going to another team. To be honest, there was too much going on in my life at that time when I got traded to Carolina to worry about what it was in my life or what time was going on. It was more so just getting there, learning the offense, meeting the guys, and that was really it that was on my mind. For me it was just another experience that has kind of paved the way for who I am and kind of what I've become."
And what Darnold has become since he left the Panthers is a two-time Pro-Bowler who is playoff bound for the second straight year, returning to Carolina with a chance to help his team move one step closer to securing the NFC's top seed.
The Seahawks continued their week of practice on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) at practice on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) at practice on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Bryce Cabeldue (77) and guard Christian Haynes (64) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) and wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (50) and nose tackle Bubba Thomas (69) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) and nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Courtney Jackson (84) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) and running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) and cornerback Shaquill Griffin (24) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) and cornerback Shaquill Griffin (24) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) and cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Josh Jones (74) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
