Field Gulls on Sam Darnold
From the article
Darnold is in that tier of quarterback who needs way more help to be functional than the likes of Josh Allen or Joe Burrow or Patrick Mahomes... the current version of Darnold does not look like someone who should be Seattle's Week 1 starter, much less the starter in 2028.
STACKED’s take
Darnold needs elite support system; current play doesn't justify Week 1 starter role in 2028.
Klint Kubiak argues that Darnold is in a tier of quarterback who needs way more help to be functional than elite self-sufficient QBs like Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, or Patrick Mahomes. Darnold requires: play-action to be insanely efficient, favorable game scripts to avoid trailing, a top-5 caliber defense, an offensive coordinator who can scheme easy throws, a cheat-code WR1, competent pass protection, and an explosive running game. The current version of Darnold does not look like someone who should be Seattle's Week 1 starter in 2028. Barring substantial improvement over the second half of 2026, John Schneider has a major decision to make on Darnold's future, regardless of offensive coordinator changes.
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