Sam Darnold’s Super Bowl win with Seahawks carries big lesson
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Sam Darnold’s NFL journey has been nothing short of inspiring.
The quarterback finally got to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy with his fifth NFL team, the Seattle Seahawks, on Sunday in Santa Clara.
Darnold was the third overall pick out of USC to the New York Jets in 2018, where he hoped to pull the team out of playoff purgatory and solidify himself as one of the best on the “Gang Green.”
Instead, Darnold found himself out of New York after three seasons, traded to the Carolina Panthers and began moving from the East Coast to the West Coast.
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Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on February 8, 2026. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
After struggling with Baker Mayfield in Carolina, Darnold eventually landed with the San Francisco 49ers as Brock Purdy’s backup. He then got the chance to start in the league with the Minnesota Vikings and led the team to a 14-3 record.
The success Darnold found led to free agency, every player’s dream. With the Seahawks, he was reunited with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and the rest is history.
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As Darnold sat in the Rising Basket to celebrate with a “shift” in front of Seahawks fans following the 29-13 victory, Fox News Digital asked him what lessons could be learned from his journey in the league.
“I really think it’s about believing in yourself and taking it one day at a time,” he said over the phone. “I think if there’s a lesson to be learned, it’s this: Continue to be yourself in every situation and always believe in yourself.”
Darnold’s faith has gotten him to this point. Seahawks fans got a taste of what Wednesday would be like at the parade in Seattle when they flocked to Raising Cane’s to see their Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
“This is incredible, man,” he said. “I mean, the warm reception I got from the fans was pretty special. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold throws a pass during the first half of the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on February 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
“They’ve been there for us all season long, all the way to the end. So I’m very thankful to be here in Seattle playing with these fans.”
Fox News Digital spoke with Darnold when he made the decision to join the Seahawks in March 2025 after trading Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, opening up the starting quarterback position. He said he loves the mutual attention and believes in head coach Mike Macdonald and the group of guys already in the building.
Darnold was just hoping to adapt and help lead the team to the promised land. The job is done.
“Obviously, I made the right decision,” he said almost a year later. “It has been a very special journey with this group, my teammates and the coaching staff we have this year.
Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks walks on the field after the NFC championship game against the Los Angeles Rams on January 25, 2026 in Seattle. Seattle Seahawks won the match 31-27. (Getty Images)
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“It’s funny, even after the Super Bowl, we all wanted to play another game. Maybe not physically, but mentally, emotionally, we’re still involved and we love playing ball with each other. That’s all you can ask for when you sign up to play this great game.”
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