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Throwing Back To Cali: Sam Darnold's California Training Sessions Helped With Teammate Bonding

Before training camp kicked off, several Seahawks players met in California to train together for a few days.

Jul 25, 2025 at 05:46 PM

Ari Horton

Seahawks.com Writer

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While it's not an unusual occurrence nowadays, receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Cody White, Jake Bobo, John Rhys Plumlee, quarterback Sam Darnold and tight ends Eric Saubert and AJ Barner all met up in California for throwing sessions, and also just some time to bond – as players and as people. Even though throwing sessions like these happen frequently during the offseason, it was noteworthy for Darnold – who according to himself isn't much of a talker when it comes to his leadership style.

"I'm not going to be super vocal unless I have to be on the field, which of course, the quarterback — you're leading the offense at the end of the day, and sometimes you need to be vocal," Darnold said in June during OTAs. "If it calls for that, I will be. But I'm definitely not a guy to force myself into talking much."

When he pitched the idea, he said he didn't push his teammates too much into coming, and let it be low stakes.

"We only get a month off in the summer to be able to spend time with families, do what we need to do, get engaged, stuff like that," Darnold said. "I always think it's important to allow everybody to have time off. I leave it open-ended. If you guys want to come, you can. If not, it's really 'I'll be in the Orange County/L.A. area' and we'll leave it at that."

The seven players mentioned took up the offer and head coach Mike Macdonald said, "I think it sets them up to have a better start to camp, and that's really important."

The players are now reaping the benefits of having a few days of non-team organized workouts and bonding under their belt.

Macdonald adding, "It speaks to the connection. We talk about "12 as One" around here, and it isn't like I was going to Sam telling him to get the guys together, that was totally driven by Sam and the rest of the guys. I don't know how many routes they ran, or how well it went, but it's just important for them to be together, talk through those things."

On Tuesday when players reported to camp, Smith-Njigba said, "It's very valuable. He started planning that trip like as soon as he got signed, making sure we were getting work at that time. It was crucial, coming out of minicamp, knowing the offense and what it's supposed to look like. Getting a head start for training camp is great, it boosts our confidence to go out there and play on time and to really go the direction we're headed."

Barner, who is starting his second season and presumably going to see a larger role this season, was also in California with the group, and for him it was important to make sure he made the time to spend with Darnold and the rest of the crew.

"I train out in L.A. so that made it easy for me," he said. "Anytime we can get the guys together, I'm going to be there, that's one of my MO's. If we're going to get together, wherever that may be, here in Seattle, in L.A., if I have to go across the country, fine. If we're going to get together, I'm going to be there."

Darnold said having some extra time to throw with his teammates, "is always nice."

"It's always good to get extra work. I feel like OTAs, we get quite a lot of work. I told the guys if you're down in L.A. and want to come out and throw, that's really it. It wasn't anything more than that. Just got some of the guys together and was able to throw around in the offseason."

Aside from building trust on the field, the players also took time to build personal bonds as well.

"Yeah, it's cool to be able to spend time with each other off the field," Darnold said. "On the field, the timing, all that. Obviously, we're working on all that, but it's great to be able to spend time off the field as well."

Smith-Njigba adding, the time helped his teammates learn who he is.

"Jaxon the guy, he's a good teammate. I'm a good friend. He's going to be there and willing to talk about anything."