Seahawks Reach Super Bowl with Darnold Starter After Schneider’s 16‑Year Rebuild

Updated 2026-02-04 00:06:18+00:00 (4 articles)

Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)

Sam Darnold's season as a backup with the 49ers helped him reach the Super Bowl (Credit: via ap) Source Full size
Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)

Shrewd moves in free agency and NFL draft helped GM John Schneider build Seahawks' Super Bowl roster (Credit: via ap) Source Full size
Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)

Shrewd moves in free agency and NFL draft helped GM John Schneider build Seahawks' Super Bowl roster (Credit: via ap) Source Full size

Sam Darnold’s rapid rise from backup to Super Bowl starter After being labeled a draft bust, Darnold joined the 49ers in 2023 on a $4.5 million one‑year deal, learned Kyle Shanahan’s offense, and started one game as Brock Purdy’s backup before the team reached the Super Bowl [1]. He then signed with Minnesota in 2024, guiding the Vikings to a 14‑win season before entering free agency and signing a three‑year, $100.5 million contract with Seattle, where he will start the Super Bowl [1][2].

Seattle clinches 14‑win season and top NFC seed The Seahawks finished the regular season 14‑3, securing the NFC’s top seed and winning two home playoff games en route to the championship matchup [2]. Their opponent is the New England Patriots on Feb. 8 at Santa Clara’s Levi’s Stadium, marking Seattle’s first Super Bowl appearance since 2014 [2].

John Schneider’s 16‑year strategy yields core talent Hired a little over 16 years ago and promoted to president of football operations in 2024, Schneider’s long‑term plan included the 2022 Russell Wilson trade that produced All‑Pro cornerback Devon Witherspoon, left tackle Charles Cross, and edge rushers Boye Mafe and Derick Hall [2]. Recent first‑round selections such as left guard Grey Zabel, defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, and wide receiver Jaxon Smith‑Njigba have further strengthened the roster, creating one of the league’s youngest yet most productive teams [2].

Free‑agency signings bolster Seahawks for Super Bowl run Seattle added veteran DE DeMarcus Lawrence, who recorded 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, and two fumble‑return touchdowns, and WR Cooper Kupp to complement Darnold’s newly signed three‑year, $100.5 million deal [2]. Darnold earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl, reflecting the rapid turnaround from his $4.5 million backup stint in San Francisco to a marquee contract in Seattle [1][2].

Sources

Timeline

2018 – Sam Darnold is selected No. 3 overall by the New York Jets in the NFL Draft, beginning a career that later includes stops in Carolina, San Francisco, Minnesota, and Seattle [3].

2019 – Darnold tells reporters he was “seeing ghosts” during a loss to New England, a comment that later epitomizes his early struggles and public criticism [3].

2020‑2022 – Darnold posts a 13‑25 record and a 78.6 passer rating, the league’s second‑worst among quarterbacks with 15+ starts, cementing his reputation as a draft bust [3].

Mar 2022 – Seattle trades Russell Wilson to Denver, acquiring draft picks that become All‑Pro cornerback Devon Witherspoon, left tackle Charles Cross, and edge rushers Boye Mafe and Derick Hall, laying the foundation for the 2025‑26 roster [4].

2023 – Darnold signs a $4.5 million one‑year backup deal with the San Francisco 49ers, learns Kyle Shanahan’s system, serves as Brock Purdy’s understudy, and appears in one game as the 49ers reach the Super Bowl, losing 25‑22 in overtime [3].

2024 – Darnold joins the Minnesota Vikings, throws for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and a 102.5 passer rating, and guides the team to a 14‑win regular season before a playoff exit [2].

Mar 2025 – Seattle signs Darnold to a three‑year, $100.5 million contract, reuniting him with former 49ers passing‑game coordinator Klint Kubiak and adding a marquee quarterback to the roster [1].

2025 season – The Seahawks post a 14‑3 record, claim the NFC’s top seed, win two home playoff games, and clinch a Super Bowl LX berth by defeating the Los Angeles Rams 31‑27 in the NFC Championship; Darnold throws for 346 yards and three touchdowns, earning a $500,000 incentive for reaching the Super Bowl [1].

Jan 26, 2026 – Seattle enters the Feb. 8 championship as 4.5‑point favorites over New England, with Darnold set to start and poised to collect additional performance bonuses [1].

Jan 26, 2026 – Coach Mike Macdonald declares, “He just shut a lot of people up,” praising Darnold’s poise despite an oblique injury in the NFC title game, and confirms Darnold as the starter—the only remaining 2018‑draft quarterback to reach the Super Bowl [2].

Jan 30, 2026 – General manager John Schneider reflects, “I never imagined staying that long… it’s a total blessing,” highlighting his 16‑year tenure, the 2022 Wilson trade, and the youth of Seattle’s roster as the team prepares for the Super Bowl [4].

Feb 4, 2026 – Analysts recap Darnold’s comeback from a 2023 backup role to Super Bowl starter, noting his early “ghosts” comment and his unique achievement of back‑to‑back 14‑win seasons, a feat matched only by Tom Brady [3].

Feb 8, 2026 – Super Bowl LX takes place in Santa Clara, California, pitting the Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots for the league championship [1][4].