SAN JOSE, Calif.—There are so many good storylines involving Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold as he prepares to play in his first Super Bowl.
If only he were interested in any of them.
If Darnold, the former No. 3 pick of the New York Jets, can lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win, he can stick it to anyone who ever called him a bust, right? If he plays like he did two weeks earlier, leading the Seahawks to an NFC championship game win over the Rams, he can show the world that he is an elite big-game quarterback, something people questioned about him last year after the Vikings season ended with two straight losses. Surely that motivates Darnold, yes? And after winning 14 regular-season games in consecutive seasons, earning Pro-Bowl honors each year, surely Darnold would love to remind not one, not two, not three, but four teams that they once had him on their roster and chose to move on, right?
Right?
Yeah, sorry, Darnold isn't interested in your vindication storylines.
When the Seahawks advance to the Super Bowl in large part because of Darnold's brilliance in the NFC championship game, Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald spoke for a lot of Seahawks players and fans who have had their quarterback's back all year, saying, “he just shut a lot of people up tonight.”
Darnold's teammates were thrilled to see him prove, emphatically, that he could come through in big games. Darnold, however, was just happy he helped those teammates move one step closer their ultimate goal.
"It doesn't really come down to that for me," Darnold said when asked about the vindication that could come with a Super Bowl win. "It's always just been about putting in hard work, every single day. Hard work and all the dedication and hours I put in in the offseason, during the season, it leads to this moment. That's the mindset I have, and really the mindset I've had my entire career."
New England center Garrett Bradbury, who was Darnold's center in Minnesota last year, is also playing in the Super Bowl in part because the Vikings decided to move on from him, so he understands a bit of what his friend and former teammate might be thinking, and Bradbury knows Darnold well enough to know that he isn't motivated by what happened in his previous stops in the league.
"This is his fifth team, there's four other teams that didn't want him back," Bradbury said. "I don't think he plays for revenge, you don't do that in the NFL. You play for the guys in your locker room, you play for your teammates, you play for your coaches. Everyone sees the talent, everyone knows what he did last year—it wasn't some fluke thing—and I think he's out there playing for his teammates, he's just playing hard and playing to the best of his ability."
Darnold's NFL journey didn't start out the way he, nor the Jets for that matter, envisioned when he was the No. 3 overall pick out of USC in 2018. But he isn't bitter about his experiences in New York, or about how his time there came to an end, or, for that matter, about how things ended with the Panthers, 49ers and Vikings when they let him leave. Darnold instead sees the value in everything he learned in each of those stops.
Darnold's three seasons with the Jets were particularly significant in how they helped him find the steady demeanor that serves him so well now.
"Just learning how to flush bad plays, flush bad games," Darnold said. "At the end of the day, no matter if I had a bad game or a bad rep or a bad series of plays, I always was able to wake up the next day and move on. As a young player, early on in my career, I was really hard on myself. After a bad rep or a bad practice, I would let it affect my attitude a little bit. Just being able to have a great attitude all the time, 'All right, that happens, it's football, we're not always going to be perfect.'
Darnold credits a Jerry Rice quote that he heard, with the Hall of Fame receiver saying he never had a perfect practice or perfect game, with helping shape his mindset.
"Jerry Rice has a quote, I'm paraphrasing, but he never had a perfect practice or perfect game; that's the mindset that I've had after my first few years in the NFL; it's not always going to be perfect," Darnold said. "That's why everybody loves this game, and people call it some of the best reality TV there is, because nothing is always perfect. It's about how can you move on from mistakes to continue to better the team and better yourself? That's how I've had that mindset. I feel like I learned a ton from my early years with that.
"You're never going to have a perfect day out there, and once you truly understand that, you can go out there and play free. That really unlocked something for me mentally, and it allowed me to play good football, and be OK with things that happen out there. Obviously, you want to play your best, there's a fine line of, you want to be hard on yourself, but you don't want to be hard on yourself in the moment… it's an attitude that I definitely learned as I've gotten a little bit older and more experienced in this league."
After a breakout season with the Vikings last season, Darnold proved over and over again with the Seahawks that his 2024 success was not a one-off fluke. Both the physical skills and the competitive fire he showed in training camp—as Jaxon Smith-Njigba described it in camp, “He’s got some shit to him”—helped Darnold win over his teammates early on, and his steady, even-keeled leadership throughout the season helped Darnold become the quarterback the Seahawks needed to get them to a Super Bowl.
Tight end AJ Barner has been singing Darnold's praises for as long as the quarterback has been in Seattle, so he didn't need any convincing that Darnold could get the Seahawks where they wanted to go, but even so, seeing the way Darnold handled the game-winning drive in a Week 16 overtime win over the Rams helped cement what Barner already knew about his quarterback.
"It's the way he attacks every day and how he carries himself in big moments," Barner said. "I think back to the Rams game and that drive, just being in the huddle and really feeling like he was in complete control. That's huge for him, and with everything that he's been through in his career, he's unshakeable."
Darnold's standout season with the Seahawks added another impressive element in the postseason thanks to an oblique injury that limited him in practice ahead of playoff wins over the 49ers and Rams. Darnold not only started those two games despite limited practice reps, he was excellent in both, playing efficient, turnover-free ball in a blowout win over the 49ers before matching MVP favorite Matthew Stafford big play for big play in the NFC championship game. And at this point, nothing Darnold does in the Super Bowl, now matter how impressive, would surprise his teammates or coaches, nor would the fact that, after it's all over, he'd be the last one to try to take a victory lap at the expense of his former teams.
"Sam's just been so resilient," Macdonald said. "I feel like I'm giving you guys a terrible answer, because I give you the same answer every time, but that's really what it is. He's so steadfast in his approach, he's confident in who he is. He understands how much his team believes in him and has his back, so just keep firing away, man, keep being you, go to the next play. He's a same guy after he has a perfect passer rating, he's not strutting around like he's solved all the world's problems, compared to a game where maybe we didn't execute as well, so that's what you appreciate about him."
The Seahawks held their first practice of the week on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 as they prepare for Sunday's matchup vs. the Patriots.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks offensive lineman Mason Richman (78) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks center Federico Maranges (62) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tackle Logan Brown (73) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tackle Amari Kight (79) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks nose tackle J.R. Singleton (70) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs (37) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles (34) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6), quarterback Drew Lock (2) and quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks running back Cam Akers (30) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) and defensive end Mike Morris (94) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) and nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles (34) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks nose tackle J.R. Singleton (70) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
