Windy City Gridiron on Sam Darnold
From the article
His 2024 and 2025 were both so good, and this season he doesn't look the same... Darnold put up big production numbers in 2024 and 2025, but in all of his worst games across both seasons, he was susceptible to pressure... Between the performance of the Seahawks offensive line regressing a bit compared to its 2025 performance and a glute injury Darnold suffered early in the season opener against the Patriots, the issues pressure has created for Darnold have not gone away.
STACKED’s take
Darnold's 2026 decline tied to pressure, injury, and offensive coordinator transition.
Darnold's 2024 and 2025 production has not carried into 2026; his worst performances across both prior seasons were marked by susceptibility to pressure, leading to sacks, fumbles, and interceptions. In 2026, pressure issues persist due to offensive line regression compared to 2025, a glute injury suffered in the season opener against the Patriots, and a struggling run game without Kenneth Walker and with Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price unavailable. Additionally, the transition from Klint Kubiak to new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury has created an adjustment period, and Darnold's decision-making has not been where it should be in the new system, though he showed some improvement against Kansas City before throwing an ill-advised interception.
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