The Seattle Times Seahawks on Sam Darnold

ArticleWhere Seahawks stand in NFL power rankings to open 2026 season
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I'm not going to feign concern about quarterback Sam Darnold, either. He is cemented as an effective passer and as a champion, and he never needed to be this team's hero in the first place.

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Darnold cemented as effective passer and champion; no concern warranted about his 2026 role.

The quarterback is cemented as an effective passer and champion who never needed to be the team's hero in the first place. The source explicitly states it is not concerned about Darnold's performance and notes he is a key part of Seattle's balanced and dominant team makeup heading into 2026, alongside reigning Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a growing offensive line.

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