Several high-profile players signed new contracts with different teams this offseason. Yet, perhaps none were more notable than Sam Darnold leaving the Minnesota Vikings for the Seattle Seahawks after a career year that saw him make his first Pro Bowl appearance.
Darnold landed a respectable contract spanning three years and $100.5 million. Yet, what about the fit?
Here he left a team that won 14 games while receiving feedback from the reigning NFL Coach of the Year where he got to pass to one of the game’s best receivers in Justin Jefferson. Not to mention, the Seahawks finished with Pro Football Focus‘ second-worst offensive line unit in the NFL, whereas Minnesota’s ranked 18th and has seemingly only improved since with the signings of Ryan Kelly and Will Fries.
Needless to say, some feel like Darnold didn’t make the best decision for his future by joining a Seahawks team that’s since gotten rid of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, despite adding Cooper Kupp too.
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Bleacher Report says Sam Darnold never should have joined Seattle Seahawks
While early reactions are already in, Sam Darnold’s free agency decision won’t truly be able to be evaluated until the regular season gets underway. Even then, it could take multiple years to determine whether he made a mistake.
What we do know is that Darnold capitalized on his market at a time when his cost was at an all-time high, effectively setting him and his family up for a wildly prosperous lifestyle. But what about the football aspects of his decision to ditch the Minnesota Vikings for the Seattle Seahawks?
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski recently examined six players who signed with the wrong team in free agency and while doing so, Darnold was the first one he named.
“The Seahawks weren’t the best option for immediate success. Seattle’s offensive interior remains a mess. Furthermore, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are now gone. Yes, Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdez-Scantling have been brought in as fellow free-agent signings. But the former has missed at least five regular-season games for three straight years, while the latter has never been a well-rounded threat.
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski on Sam Darnold
Sobleski makes a good point about Seattle’s overall infrastructure. One of Darnold’s biggest flaws came to the surface across the Vikings’ last two games of their season, where he was sacked 11 times and generated a total of just 18 points across eight quarters of play.
Meanwhile, Sobleski went on to state his reasoning for why Darnold would have been far better off signing with the Steelers this offseason.
“Maybe Pittsburgh didn’t have the same pathway to remain the starter if Darnold didn’t play as well this fall. But the Steelers do have a more stable organization, better coaching and superior supporting cast. As a whole, Pittsburgh’s offensive line is more talented. Metcalf and George Pickens form the league’s most physically intimidating wide receiver duo. Pat Freiermuth is an outstanding target over the middle of the field. Running back Jaylen Warren is a chunk play waiting to happen as well. If Darnold was going to a place where he could compete this year to prove himself as a long-term option, the Steelers were as good of a choice as any.”
Sobleski, continued
Once again, Sobleski’s reasoning makes a lot of sense. Had Darnold signed in Pittsburgh, he wouldn’t have felt as much pressure as he would have in Seattle, where he’s now viewed as the face of the franchise. Meanwhile, with the Steelers, the brunt of the blame always falls on the steady shoulders of Mike Tomlin.
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