Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold's first pass in a regular-season NFL game went straight to the other team. Quandre Diggs of the Detroit Lions intercepted it and returned it for a touchdown. This was Monday Night Football on the 10th of September 2018, and Darnold was 21 years and 97 days old. No quarterback so young had started an opener since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. The New York Jets still won that night, 48-17.
Samuel Richard Darnold was born on the 5th of June 1997. Over the next several years he would be called a draft bust, move from team to team, and sit on benches in three different cities. Then his career would be described as one of the greatest comebacks the league has seen.
How does a quarterback taken third overall fall so far from that early promise? What did a high school basketball coach see that football recruiters nearly missed? And what changed when Darnold finally landed somewhere that trusted him?
Marc Popovich coached basketball at San Clemente High School in California, and he remembered one player above the rest. He called Darnold the "only guy I've ever had who could get a defensive rebound and launch a 70-foot pass on target, pretty much in the same motion, to a guy breaking out in the fastbreak. It was almost Wes Unseld-like." Popovich believed Darnold could have played college basketball in the Pac-12 Conference, or in the Mountain West Conference "at worst".
Darnold was born in Dana Point, California. He played baseball as a freshman, then switched to football and basketball. On the court he was named South Coast League Most Valuable Player twice and earned a spot on the all-CIF team.
Football came more slowly. He started out at wide receiver and linebacker. As a sophomore he took over at quarterback for one game against Tesoro High School after the starter was hurt. He threw a touchdown and ran in the game-winning two-point conversion, then went back to receiver and linebacker a week later.
When he became the regular quarterback, he set a school record with five touchdown passes in one game. A foot injury cost him much of his junior year. His senior year ended in the CIF-Southern Section Southwest Division championship game, where underdog Trabuco Hills High School won 44-37 after Darnold suffered a concussion. He still finished the season with 3,000 passing yards and 39 touchdowns. He added 800 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns.
Rivals.com rated him a four-star recruit, the eighth best dual-threat quarterback in his class and 179th overall. The trouble was his highlight reel. He had little footage from recruiting camps, so San Clemente head coach Jaime Ortiz mailed college coaches video of his basketball games instead.
Oregon, Utah, Northwestern and Duke all offered scholarships. Darnold chose USC, where coaches Clay Helton and Steve Sarkisian had watched him at a football camp and liked what they saw.
Justin Wilcox, the USC defensive coordinator who recruited Darnold, wanted him at linebacker. Darnold said no. In 2015 he redshirted, stuck behind Cody Kessler and Max Browne on the depth chart.
The 2016 season began with Darnold as the backup to Browne. In three early games he completed 14 of 22 passes. After USC started 1-2, Browne was benched. Darnold's first start came against the Utah Utes, and he threw for 253 yards and ran for a touchdown. USC still lost 31-27.
It was the last loss of the regular season for the Trojans. They beat the fourth-ranked Washington Huskies 26-13 and averaged 37 points and 518 yards a game. Darnold threw 26 touchdown passes, a freshman record at USC. That was ten more than the mark Todd Marinovich set in 1989.
On the 1st of October 2016 he threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-20 win over Arizona State. A week later he threw for 358 yards in a 21-17 win over Colorado. He threw five touchdown passes against both Arizona and California, a first for a USC quarterback in consecutive games. He threw multiple touchdown passes in eight straight games, which no USC quarterback had done since Matt Leinart in 2004.
The Rose Bowl on the 2nd of January 2017 was USC's first trip to that game in eight seasons. The Trojans beat Penn State 52-49. Darnold completed 33 of 53 passes for 453 yards. He set Rose Bowl records with five touchdown passes and 473 total yards. His passing total ranked second in the game's history, behind the 456 yards Danny O'Neil threw in 1995.
On the 4th of January 2017 he received the Archie Griffin Award, given to college football's most valuable player. No freshman had ever won it.
The 2017 season opened with Heisman Trophy talk, and it started badly. Six games in, Darnold had already thrown as many interceptions as in all of 2016. The explanations were a new group of receivers, many injuries and questionable coaching decisions.
He steadied the team with a 42-24 win over Stanford. Against Texas he drove USC to a game-tying field goal in the last 39 seconds of regulation, and the Trojans won in overtime. In the Pac-12 title game he beat Stanford again, 31-28, and was named game MVP after more than 300 yards and two touchdowns.
The Cotton Bowl ended the run. Darnold threw for 356 yards, yet Ohio State won 24-7. On the 3rd of January 2018 he announced he would enter the NFL draft.
The New York Jets drafted Darnold third overall in 2018. On the 30th of July he signed a four-year deal worth $30.25 million, fully guaranteed, with a $20 million signing bonus. His professional debut had come in a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, where he threw for 96 yards and a touchdown in a 17-0 win.
The first season swung wildly. Against Miami in Week 2 he threw for 334 yards but also two interceptions. Against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7 he gave the ball away four times. In the rematch with the Dolphins, he threw four interceptions in a 13-6 loss, and a foot injury sidelined him for three games. Josh McCown started in his place.
His return came against Buffalo and fellow rookie Josh Allen. Darnold left briefly with pain in the same foot, came back, and led the winning drive. A 37-yard pass to Robby Anderson set up a touchdown run by Elijah McGuire. It ended a six-game losing streak. A week after the Packers game, in which 16 penalties helped the Jets squander a 15-point lead in a 44-38 overtime loss, the season closed with a 38-3 loss to New England. Darnold finished with 2,865 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
The 2019 opener against the Bills was a warning. The Jets led 16-0 in the third quarter and lost 17-16. On the 12th of September it was reported that Darnold had mononucleosis, and he missed three games. He returned against Dallas with 338 yards and a 92-yard touchdown pass to Anderson, which earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Then came Monday Night Football against New England. The Jets managed only 154 total yards, and Darnold threw four interceptions and lost a fumble in a 33-0 shutout. NFL Films and ESPN had him wearing a microphone. It caught him saying he was "seeing ghosts", and opposing fans mocked the line. The Jets recovered to win four of their next six, and he ended the year with 3,024 yards, 19 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and a 7-6 record as a starter.
The 2020 season brought a shoulder injury and a losing team. Against Indianapolis in Week 3 he threw three interceptions, two of them returned for touchdowns, and was sacked in his own end zone for a safety. In Denver he ran 46 yards for a touchdown. A shoulder problem cost him games after a sack and again after the game in Kansas City. He did not throw more touchdown passes than interceptions in a game until Week 13 against the Raiders. Darnold finished with 2,208 yards, nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions as the Jets went 2-14.
The Carolina Panthers traded for Darnold on the 5th of April 2021. They sent a 2021 sixth-round pick and second- and fourth-round picks in 2022. On the 30th of April they picked up his fifth-year option, which carried a guaranteed $18.858 million for 2022.
His first start for Carolina came against the Jets, his old team, and the Panthers won 19-14. Darnold threw for 279 yards and ran for a five-yard touchdown. They won again against New Orleans, 26-7, then against Houston, 24-9, with two rushing touchdowns from Darnold. A 24-6 loss to the Patriots cost him a fractured scapula. He went on injured reserve on the 12th of November and came back on Christmas Day. Coach Rhule said he and Cam Newton would share snaps. Against Tampa Bay he entered in the second quarter and completed 15 of 32 passes in a 32-6 loss, the team's tenth defeat in 12 games. His season ended at 4-7.
Baker Mayfield, a fellow 2018 draftee, beat Darnold out for the starting job in 2022. A high ankle sprain in the third preseason game against Buffalo put Darnold on injured reserve on the 1st of September. He was activated on the 7th of November and started in Week 12. In that Denver game he threw a touchdown pass and recovered a fumble for another score in a 23-10 win. A road win over Seattle followed, 30-24. Against Tampa Bay in Week 17 he threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns, but the Panthers lost 30-24 and were eliminated. The finale in New Orleans went badly. He completed five of 15 passes for 43 yards and threw two interceptions. He went 4-2 as the starter, and Carolina did not renew his contract.
On the 16th of March 2023 he signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. He won the backup job over Trey Lance, who had been the third overall pick in 2021 and was traded to the Dallas Cowboys the next day for a fourth-round pick.
With the top seed clinched, San Francisco rested Brock Purdy for the finale against the Los Angeles Rams. Darnold completed 16 of 26 passes for 189 yards, a touchdown through the air and one on the ground. The Rams won 21-20. He then watched from the sideline as the 49ers reached Super Bowl LVIII and lost in overtime, 25-22.
Afterward, Darnold called the year a valuable lesson. He pointed to the team's meticulous preparation and to the influence of Purdy and head coach Kyle Shanahan on how he approached the game.
The Minnesota Vikings signed Darnold on the 13th of March 2024 to a one-year, $10 million contract. He was expected to compete with rookie J. J. McCarthy. When McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason, Darnold became the starter and an offensive captain.
At MetLife Stadium on the 8th of September he made his Vikings debut against the Giants. He completed his first 12 passes and finished 19 of 24 for 208 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-6 win. A week later he faced San Francisco and threw a 97-yard touchdown to Justin Jefferson in a 23-17 win. Against the Texans he threw four touchdowns and no interceptions in a 34-7 win. Against the Packers he threw three touchdowns in the first half. Minnesota reached 4-0 for the first time since 2016.
September earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Month. He had 932 yards, a league-high 11 touchdowns and a league-best 118.9 passer rating.
The Vikings opened 5-0, then lost to the Lions and the Rams. Against the Colts in Week 9 he overcame three turnovers with three second-half touchdowns for a 21-13 win. Three interceptions against Jacksonville were followed by three total touchdowns against Tennessee. Back-to-back game-winning drives against Chicago and Arizona, including a fourth-quarter comeback against the Cardinals, made Minnesota 10-2.
His best day came against Atlanta. He threw for 347 yards and five touchdowns in a 42-21 win. His 157.9 passer rating that day is a Vikings single-game record. Two weeks later he led another fourth-quarter comeback against the Seahawks, 27-24, for an eighth straight win.
In Week 17 he set a career high with 377 yards and threw three touchdowns in a 27-25 win over the Packers. Minnesota moved to 14-2, and Darnold became the first quarterback to win 14 games in his first season with a team.
The finale against Detroit decided the NFC's top seed. Darnold completed 18 of 41 passes, 41.9 percent, for 166 yards and no touchdowns in a 31-9 loss. His playoff debut was worse. The Rams sacked him nine times for 82 yards, and a fumble was returned for a touchdown in a 27-9 loss.
The season still set career highs in nearly every category. He threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns with a 102.5 passer rating. He posted 13 games with a rating of 100 or better, a Vikings single-season record. He made his first Pro Bowl and won the Pro Football Writers Association Most Improved Player award. He was nominated for AP Comeback Player of the Year but lost to Joe Burrow.
The Seattle Seahawks signed Darnold on the 13th of March 2025 to a three-year, $100.5 million contract. The structure let them part ways after one season, having paid him $37.5 million. The second year paid $27.5 million, with an injury guarantee of $17.5 million that vested shortly after Super Bowl LX. The third year, worth $35.5 million, carried no guarantee.
On the 2nd of November 2025, at Washington, he threw four first-half touchdown passes without an incompletion. No player had done that since Ryan Tannehill in 2015. He also completed 17 passes in a row in that game, which tied a Seahawks record held by Warren Moon.
The Week 16 game against the Rams carried more weight. Seattle trailed by 16 points in the fourth quarter. Before that night the franchise was 0-172 when behind by 15 or more points in the fourth quarter. Darnold threw two interceptions yet led a comeback and won 38-37 in overtime.
A 13-3 win over San Francisco in Week 18 gave Seattle the NFC's top seed. It made Darnold the second quarterback after Tom Brady with two straight 14-win seasons. His regular-season line was a 67.7 percent completion rate, 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns and a 99.1 passer rating. His 20 total turnovers led the league.
The postseason started with the Divisional Round against the 49ers. Darnold earned his first career playoff win, 41-6, with 12 completions on 17 attempts for 124 yards and a touchdown. In the NFC Championship Game against the Rams, he completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-27 win.
That sent him to Super Bowl LX, his first as a starter, against the New England Patriots. He completed 19 of 38 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown, to AJ Barner. Seattle won 29-13. Darnold became the first quarterback from the 2018 draft class to win a Super Bowl as a starter. The league leader in turnovers during the regular season finished the playoffs without giving the ball away once.
Childhood friends call Darnold "Biff", after a character in Back to the Future Part III, his favorite childhood movie. He was obsessed with it. The nickname stuck.
Online fans gave him another, GEQBUS, short for God Emperor Quarterback of the United States. It began on a Reddit community called r/The_Darnold, a parody of the acronym used for the President.
His most famous moment off the field came after mononucleosis ruled him out indefinitely. During a Monday Night Football broadcast, ESPN showed a graphic of him pointing at the camera with his diagnosis printed beside him. It became an internet meme, and sportswriters brought it back after Seattle won the NFC Championship.
As a player, Darnold is not widely seen as a dual-threat quarterback. He is praised for his mobility in the pocket, which lets him escape pressure, extend plays and throw on the run. Some describe him as a gunslinger. Former quarterback Jordan Palmer works as his quarterbacks coach.
The record book holds a few surprises. His 116.8 passer rating in that 2018 opener made him the youngest quarterback ever to rate above 110. His 57.7 completion percentage that rookie year is the Jets' best for a rookie quarterback. His 77.6 rookie passer rating, with at least seven appearances, is also a Jets record.
His family is rooted in California athletics. His mother teaches physical education at Shorecliffs Middle School. His older sister Franki played college volleyball at the University of Rhode Island. His grandfather, Dick Hammer, was a Marlboro Man actor and a USC athlete. At USC, Darnold himself joined the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
His closest football friends are fellow quarterbacks Josh Allen and Kyle Allen, and the three often train together in the offseason. On the 8th of July 2025 Darnold got engaged to Katie Hoofnagle. They married on the 3rd of April 2026 in Rancho Santa Fe, California. Josh Allen and his wife, Hailee Steinfeld, attended, along with Christian McCaffrey and his wife, Olivia Culpo.
Updated
Common questions
Who is Sam Darnold?
Sam Darnold is an American football quarterback born on the 5th of June 1997. He played at USC and was drafted third overall in 2018 by the New York Jets. He later played for the Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks.
Did Sam Darnold win a Super Bowl?
Yes. He led the Seattle Seahawks to a 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, his first Super Bowl as a starter.
What was Darnold's breakout season?
His 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings. He threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, earned his first Pro Bowl selection, and won the Pro Football Writers Association Most Improved Player award.
What is the Archie Griffin Award, and did Darnold win it?
It is given each year to college football's most valuable player. Darnold received it in January 2017 as a redshirt freshman at USC, the first freshman to win it.
Why is Darnold nicknamed Biff?
Childhood friends gave him the nickname because of his obsession with the character Biff from Back to the Future Part III, his favorite childhood movie.
All sources
173 references cited across the entry
- 2Seahawks' Sam Darnold completes epic redemption arc with Super Bowl win over PatriotsPeter Sblendorio — February 9, 2026
- 3Seahawks stifle Drake Maye, Patriots to capture Super Bowl LXDan Graziano — February 9, 2026
- 4NFL world praises Sam Darnold's comeback storyJack McKessy — January 26, 2026
- 5How Seattle's Sam Darnold went from NFL castoff to Super Bowl QBTim Rohan — February 7, 2026
- 6Hometown Hero: Capistrano Beach Native Sam Darnold Goes to DisneylandRandy Youngman — February 13, 2026
- 7How Sam Darnold became a USC quarterbackJoey Kaufman — August 2, 2017
- 8Stoic, confident Sam Darnold is making USC's quarterback decision difficultZach Helfand — August 8, 2016
- 9USC's Sam Darnold's vision on the field makes a difference – so do his basketball skillsZach Helfand — October 12, 2016
- 10Before Sam Darnold made Rose Bowl magic, he was star at San ClementePete Stella — January 3, 2017
- 12How USC nearly missed out on signing quarterback Sam DarnoldPaul Myerburg — April 22, 2017
- 13Sam Darnold Commits to USC's 2015 Recruiting ClassMichael Castillo — FanSided — July 18, 2014
- 14USC freshman quarterback Sam Darnold looks to 2016Scott Wolf — September 7, 2015
- 15Max Browne Named USC's Starting QuarterbackAugust 20, 2016
- 16NewsSam Darnold in, Max Browne out as USC starting quarterbackZach Helfand — September 19, 2016
- 17NewsUSC QB Sam Darnold overcomes everything but poor coaching decisionsScott Wolf — September 23, 2016
- 18NewsSam Darnold leads USC to 26–13 upset over No. 4 WashingtonNovember 12, 2016
- 21Darnold DeliveredAubrey Kragen — December 7, 2016
- 22Darnold Tabbed Top 10 QBAubrey Kragen — November 30, 2016
- 23Pac-12 Football Awards And All-Conference Team AnnouncedNovember 29, 2016
- 24NewsMost Influential 2016: Sam Darnold helped save USC's seasonJoey Kaufman — December 24, 2016
- 25Sam Darnold breaks Vince Young's Rose Bowl record, and 18 more wild numbers from USC-PSUAlex Kirschner — SB Nation — January 2, 2017
- 26Darnold wins Archie Griffin AwardChris Trevino — CBSSports.com — January 4, 2017
- 27NewsFWAA Names 2016 Sound Mind Sound Body Freshman All-America TeamJanuary 9, 2017
- 28First Look: Scouting USC QB Sam DarnoldDaniel Jeremiah — July 11, 2017
- 29USC hype train for 2017 includes QB Sam Darnold as clear Heisman favoriteBen Kercheval — February 20, 2017
- 30NewsSam Darnold's 4 TDs carry USC past Stanford 42–24September 10, 2017
- 31NewsMiller: Sam Darnold and USC survive scare the size of TexasJeff Miller — September 17, 2017
- 32NewsNo. 9 USC holds off No. 15 Stanford for first Pac-12 championship since 2008December 1, 2017
- 33NewsCotton Bowl: Ohio State smothers USC en route to 24–7 victoryDecember 30, 2017
- 34Sam Darnold intends to enter 2018 NFL DraftDan Parr — January 3, 2018
- 35Sam Darnold Draft and Combine Prospect ProfileLance Zierlein
- 37Sam Darnold selected third overall by New York JetsDan Hanzus — April 26, 2018
- 38Jets GM: Sam Darnold will compete for starting QB gigChris Wesseling — May 2, 2018
- 39Jets CEO: Sam Darnold shifts team into new gearChris Wesseling — May 8, 2018
- 40Jets sign Sam Darnold to rookie dealKevin Patra — July 30, 2018
- 41Sam Darnold flashes starting QB potential in Jets' winAustin Knoblauch — August 11, 2018
- 42Jets rookie QB Sam Darnold to start Week 1 at LionsKevin Patra — August 29, 2018
- 43Jets poised to make Sam Darnold youngest Week 1 NFL starting QB since 1970 mergerLorenzo Reyes — August 29, 2018
- 44Sam Darnold's resiliency shines through in Jets' victoryJeremy Bergman — September 10, 2018
- 45Instant analysis: Jets fall back to earth with clunker, lose to Dolphins 20–12Andy Vasquez — September 16, 2018
- 46NewsJets' Darnold loses unexpected rookie duel with MayfieldTom Withers — September 20, 2018
- 48Bortles tosses 2 TD passes Jags handle Darnold, Jets 31–12Mark Long — September 30, 2018
- 49Crowell, big-play Jets romp past Broncos 34–16Dennis Jr. Waszak — October 7, 2018
- 50Myers kicks Jets-record 7 FGs in 42–34 win over ColtsDennis Jr. Waszak — October 14, 2018
- 51Cousins, Vikings look to improve, even after blowout of JetsDennis Jr. Waszak — October 22, 2018
- 52Cousins, Murray lift Vikings past Darnold, Jets 37–17Dennis Jr. Waszak — October 21, 2018
- 53Trubisky throws 2 TDs as Bears beat Jets 24–10Andrew Seligman — October 28, 2018
- 544 interceptions help Dolphins beat Darnold and Jets, 13–6Steven Wine — November 4, 2018
- 55NewsSam Darnold out vs. Patriots, Josh McCown will startMichael Shapiro — November 23, 2018
- 56Darnold leads Jets to 27–23 win over Allen, BillsJohn Wawrow — December 9, 2018
- 57Watson leads Texans to 29–22 comeback win over Darnold, JetsDennis Jr. Waszak — December 16, 2018
- 58Rodgers leads Packers to wild 44–38 overtime win over JetsDecember 23, 2018
- 59Jets GM: Sam Darnold makes coaching job 'attractive'Austin Knoblauch — January 1, 2019
- 60Jets blow 16-point lead and lose 17–16 to Bills in Adam Gase's first game in charge of Gang GreenManish Mehta — September 8, 2019
- 61Sam Darnold Could Be Out 'Several Weeks' With MononucleosisKyle Koster — September 12, 2019
- 62Sam Darnold's 92-yard TD to Robby Anderson a highlight in his returnRich Cimini — October 13, 2019
- 63Darnold throws 2 TDs in return, Jets edge Cowboys 24–22October 13, 2019
- 64Sam Darnold, Kyler Murray among Players of the WeekMichael Baca — October 16, 2019
- 65Patriots blitz Darnold, Jets 33–0 to remain undefeatedOctober 21, 2019
- 66Patriots demolish Jets in Sam Darnold nightmareBrian Costello — October 21, 2019
- 67Sam Darnold 'seeing ghosts' in scary showing on 'MNF'Jelani Scott — October 22, 2019
- 68Jaguars troll Jets quarterback Sam Darnold with mascot's ghost outfit, 'Ghostbusters' theme songDavid Aaro — October 27, 2019
- 69Jets' Darnold throws 3 more picks in 29–15 loss at JaguarsOctober 27, 2019
- 70Embarrassing Jets hit rock bottom with loss to tanking DolphinsBrian Costello — November 3, 2019
- 71Eww York: Darnold, Jets hold on to beat Jones, Giants 34–27November 10, 2019
- 72Sam Darnold throws 4 TD passes, Jets rout Redskins 34–17November 17, 2019
- 73Darnold, Jets Embarrass Raiders, 34–3Tom LaMarre — November 25, 2019
- 74Sam Darnold's noticeable limp isn't causing concernBrian Costello — December 2, 2019
- 75The hidden beauty of Sam Darnold's clutch Jets comebackMark Cannizzaro — December 8, 2019
- 77After talk of progress, Sam Darnold a big disappointment for JetsRich Cimini — September 13, 2020
- 78'Pissed' Adam Gase is feeling the heat after Jets disasterBrian Costello — September 20, 2020
- 79Darnold Throws Three Interceptions in Blowout LossSeptember 27, 2020
- 80Darnold sacked, hurt, returns, takes mores sacks and a lossBarry Wilner — October 1, 2020
- 81Jets' desperate play-calling change no help in loss to BillsBrian Costello — October 25, 2020
- 85Panthers trade for quarterback Sam DarnoldDarin Gantt — April 5, 2021
- 86New York Jets trade QB Sam Darnold to Carolina Panthers for 3 draft picksRich Cimini — April 5, 2021
- 87Panthers pick up options on Sam Darnold, DJ MooreDarin Gantt — April 30, 2021
- 88Panthers pick up QB Sam Darnold's fifth-year optionKevin Patra — April 30, 2021
- 89Panthers' Sam Darnold, Robby Anderson sting their old Jets team with TD bombEric Edholm — September 12, 2021
- 90Sam Darnold, Panthers improve to 2–0 with dominant win over SaintsSeptember 19, 2021
- 91Panthers at Texans score: Sam Darnold guides Carolina to 3–0 start, despite loss of Christian McCaffreyCody Benjamin et al. — September 24, 2021
- 92Sam Darnold Out 4–6 Weeks with Shoulder Injury; Will Be Placed on IR by PanthersRob Goldberg — November 10, 2021
- 93Panthers place Sam Darnold on injured reserveDarin Gantt — November 12, 2021
- 94Buccaneers clinch first NFC South title since 2007 with win over PanthersGrant Gordon — NFL — December 26, 2021
- 96Sam Darnold placed on injured reserveDarin Gantt — September 1, 2022
- 97Panthers activate quarterback Sam DaroldDarin Gantt — November 7, 2022
- 98MagazinePanthers Make Change at Quarterback Ahead of Game vs. BroncosMadison Williams — November 22, 2022
- 100MagazineCarolina Panthers Eliminated from Playoff ContentionSchuyler Callihan — January 1, 2023
- 103Super Bowl champion Sam Darnold's deferred destinyKalyn Kahler — February 9, 2026
- 10449ers Sign QB Sam Darnold to a One-Year DealMarch 16, 2023
- 10549ers' Sam Darnold: Scores twice in first start for SFJanuary 8, 2024
- 106NewsHow Purdy inspired Vikings QB Darnold during short-lived 49ers unionTristi Rodriguez — August 13, 2024
- 107Vikings Agree to Terms with QB Sam DarnoldCraig Peters — March 13, 2024
- 108Why Vikings' Justin Jefferson 'definitely feels confident' in Sam Darnold after losing J.J. McCarthyBryan DeArdo — August 17, 2024
- 109Vikings 2024 Captains Named as Team Unveils Jim Marshall Legacy DisplayCraig Peters — September 4, 2024
- 110Vikings' Sam Darnold connects on second TD vs. GiantsKevin Seifert — September 8, 2024
- 111Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants – September 8th, 2024September 8, 2024
- 112Sam Darnold and an attacking defense drive the undefeated Vikings in a 23–17 win over the 49ersDave Campbell — September 15, 2024
- 113Vikings' Sam Darnold: Ties career high with four TDsSeptember 22, 2024
- 114Vikings' Sam Darnold lights up Packers for 3 first-half TDsKevin Seifert — September 29, 2024
- 115Sam Darnold Named NFC Offensive Player of the MonthLindsey Young — October 3, 2024
- 116NewsHow Sam Darnold has revived his NFL career with the Vikings and whether he can keep it upJared Dubin — November 1, 2024
- 117NewsVikings-Colts: Minnesota overcomes 3 turnovers from Sam Darnold to outlast Indianapolis 21–13Frank Schwab — November 4, 2024
- 118NewsViking survive 3 Sam Darnold interceptions vs. JaguarsJason Owens — November 10, 2024
- 119NewsSam Darnold bounces back to lead Vikings to win over TitansKevin Seifert — November 17, 2024
- 120NewsSam Darnold leads game-winning drive in OT and Vikings beat Bears 30–27 after blowing late leadNovember 25, 2024
- 121NewsDarnold, Jefferson & Jones Resilient in Vikings Comeback vs. CardinalsLindsey Young — December 1, 2024
- 122NewsVikings QB Sam Darnold Felt 'Pure Joy' as Career Day ConcludedRob Kleifield — December 8, 2024
- 123NewsVikings at Seahawks Game Observations: Sam Darnold to Justin Jefferson for Winning TD; Defense Nabs 2 Picks & 2 SacksCraig Peters — December 22, 2024
- 124NewsVikings celebrate QB Sam Darnold after key win over PackersKevin Seifert — December 30, 2024
- 125NewsSam Darnold's disastrous playoff debut on heels of Lions loss leaves Vikings with a big offseason decisionJason Owens — January 13, 2025
- 126NewsWhat should Vikings do with QB Sam Darnold? One approach could make most senseNate Davis — January 13, 2025
- 127News6 Vikings Named to 2025 NFL Pro Bowl GamesLindsey Young — January 2, 2025
- 1282025 NFL Honors awards: Full list of winners for MVP, top rookies and moreMichael Middlehurst-Schwartz — February 6, 2025
- 129Sam Darnold Named To NFL Top 100 Players Of 2025Ari Horton — July 18, 2025
- 130NewsSeahawks signing QB Sam Darnold to 3-year, $100.5 million contractBobby Kownack — March 10, 2025
- 131Seahawks Sign QB Sam DarnoldJohn Boyle — March 14, 2025
- 132NewsSeahawks can escape Sam Darnold's deal after one year, $37.5 millionMike Florio — NBC Sports — March 16, 2025
- 133Seahawks' Sam Darnold throws 4 first-half TDs in blowout winBrady Henderson — November 3, 2025
- 134Seahawks' wild 2-point conversion plays part in electric victory over NFC West rivalRyan Gaydos — 2025-12-19
- 135Seahawks' posts hilarious response to snapping 0–172 streak after wild Rams comebackMatt Sullivan — 2025-12-19
- 136Seahawks' Sam Darnold Matches Patriots Legend With Historic AccomplishmentTyler Maher — January 4, 2026
- 137Seahawks secure No. 1 seed in NFC and division title with dominant 13–3 win over 49ersJosh Dubow — January 4, 2026
- 138NewsSuper Bowl 2026 QB tale of the tape: Who has edge between Drake Maye and Sam Darnold?Garrett Podell — February 8, 2026
- 139Sam Darnold 'Tremendous' In Seahawks' Playoff Win Over 49ers Despite Oblique InjuryJohn Boyle — January 17, 2026
- 141Seahawks' Sam Darnold Makes History With Super Bowl LX Start vs PatriotsTyler Erzberger — January 27, 2026
- 142'Absolute beatdown': Aussie stars in Super Bowl as ultimate NFL redemption completeAndrew Jackson — February 9, 2026
- 143Super Bowl 2026 live updates: Seahawks defeat Patriots 29–13David K. Li — February 9, 2026
- 144News4 Takeaways From the Seahawks' Super Bowl Win Over the PatriotsEric Williams — February 8, 2026
- 145NewsA journeyman no more: Seahawks' Sam Darnold has found stability in SeattleJeff Howe — August 10, 2026
- 146NewsSeahawks' Sam Darnold sees little 'transition' with Brian Fleury's offenseBrady Henderson — ESPN — June 3, 2026
- 147Seahawks rule QB Sam Darnold (glute) out vs. CardinalsBrady Henderson — September 16, 2026
- 148Commanders 33-31 Seahawks (Sep 27, 2026) Play-by-play - ESPNSeptember 27, 2026
- 149NewsCoach: Seahawks QB Sam Darnold ruled out with quad injury, is week-to-weekBrady Henderson — ESPN — November 4, 2026
- 150NewsSeahawks QB Sam Darnold will miss game against CardinalsTim Booth — November 4, 2026
- 151Sam Darnold's mobility doesn't get enough attentionTyler Greenawalt — USA Today — August 6, 2018
- 152Book on Sam Darnold: Browns, Jets, Giants fit streaky USC QBBucky Brooks — February 27, 2018
- 154Sam Darnold named AFC Offensive Player of the WeekSam Neumann — USA Today — October 16, 2019
- 155Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase, Vikings QB Sam Darnold highlight Players of the WeekGrant Gordon — December 11, 2024
- 156Bills QB Josh Allen, Vikings QB Sam Darnold highlight September Players of the MonthGrant Gordon — October 3, 2024
- 158Sam Darnold is breaking rookie records with his early-career efficiencyMichael Nania — SB Nation — October 15, 2018
- 160NFL Power Rankings: 6-Game Win Streak Pushes Vikings into Top 5Sam Thiel — Minnesota Vikings — December 10, 2024
- 161MagazineMinnesota Vikings' Sam Darnold Breaks Franchise Record In Win Over Atlanta FalconsKyron Samuels — December 8, 2024
- 162NFL Week 9 takeaways: What We Learned from Sunday's 12 gamesNovember 2, 2025
- 163NewsSam Darnold slowly learning to live in the spotlightJoey Kaufman — August 27, 2017
- 164Meet Sam Darnold, the star freshman QB who has saved USC's seasonBruce Feldman — October 17, 2016
- 1655 things to know about new 49ers QB Sam DarnoldKirk Larrabee — March 13, 2023
- 166Newsr/TheDarnold is a Trump-themed Vikings subreddit that's delightfully unhingedJames Dator — October 22, 2024
- 167ESPN's "Sam Darnold: Out Indefinitely" GraphicSeptember 18, 2019
- 168Sam Darnold will always be the mono meme guy even in the Super BowlMark Schofield — February 2, 2026
- 169Bills' Josh Allen, Jets' Sam Darnold: Friendship before rivalryMarcell Louis-Jacques — September 7, 2019
- 170Kyle Allen, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen benefit from joint workoutsJohn Keim — March 31, 2020
- 171Instagram
- 172Sam Darnold is officially engaged!Kole Musgrove — USA Today — July 8, 2025
- 173Seahawks QB Sam Darnold ties knot with fiancée Katie HoofnagleKalan Hooks — April 7, 2026