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NFL: The Insiders fantasy football takes on Sam Darnold
Every source-backed podcast insight STACKED has extracted from NFL: The Insiders about Sam Darnold.
30
Insights
6
Positive
16
Negative
Insight ledger
All NFL: The Insiders insights about Sam Darnold
NegativeBustOct 17, 2026
Despite winning the Super Bowl last season, Darnold is struggling with turnovers in week six. He threw seven interceptions in his last four games—already more than half his total of 14 for all of last season. He was sacked five times and hit 17 times in the overtime loss to the Broncos, throwing two interceptions including a pick-six in overtime. Coach Mike McDonald had to defend keeping Darnold as the starter, signaling ongoing questions about his performance. The Seahawks' three losses have all been by three or fewer points, with turnovers costing them in close games.NegativeProjectionOct 16, 2026
Darnold's interception rate is unsustainable; he throws an interception every 21 attempts on the season. The source emphasizes this turnover problem is not sustainable and is costing the Seahawks games, noting he threw multiple interceptions including one in the fourth quarter that should have ended the game against Denver. Unlike last year's Super Bowl-winning team with high turnovers, this Seahawks offense lacks a running game and is too dependent on Jackson Smith-Njigba, forcing Darnold into panic mode when JSN is not open.NegativeMatchupOct 16, 2026
Sam Darnold struggled against Denver in Thursday Night Football, throwing two interceptions with no touchdowns; the source notes this has been a problem for Darnold and emphasizes the difficulty of the matchup, particularly without key Denver defensive players.NegativeRoleOct 15, 2026
Leading the Seahawks offense as they attempt to bounce back after losing to the 49ers in a game viewed by 26 million people; facing the Broncos in Thursday night football week six.NegativeUsageOct 15, 2026
Sam Darnold threw two interceptions in last week's game and the Seahawks need to take pressure off him by improving their run game and establishing a secondary playmaker alongside JSN to reduce his passing load.NegativeProjectionOct 14, 2026
Sam Darnold has been a turnover-a-game guy as a pro, and in this season he's been more than that; however, the source expects this to regress to the positive mean going forward.NegativeProjectionOct 14, 2026
Sam Darnold has thrown five interceptions in three games this season, with two coming Sunday against the 49ers; San Francisco converted those into touchdowns. Darnold acknowledges the need to tighten up ball security with the Broncos' defense looming and emphasizes the importance of protecting the football and being decisive through his reads.NegativeRoleOct 14, 2026
Sam Darnold continues to have turnover issues; in the Seahawks' close loss to the 49ers, he struggled with ball security in a game that came down to a fourth-down measurement, though Nick Shook notes the loss was not entirely his fault given how close the contest was.NegativeMatchupOct 10, 2026
Sam Darnold needs to have a strong game against San Francisco to prove the Seahawks can function without their typical running game, which is their built-in offensive identity.NegativeProjectionOct 6, 2026
Sam Darnold threw an interception on the very first play of the game against the Seahawks.PositiveProjectionOct 1, 2026
Sam Darnold is highlighted for a near 400-yard passing performance in the team's recent outing.NegativeUsageSep 30, 2026
Sam Darnold had an inconsistent performance in his return, including an untimely interception and a pick-six that gave the Commanders a two-score lead, contributing to the Seahawks' loss.NegativeProjectionSep 28, 2026
Sam Darnold is currently carrying a heavy load for the Seahawks' offense. While he is capable of moving the ball, the source suggests that the team's reliance on him and Jaxon Smith-Njigba without a balanced run game is a problematic strategy that led to their recent loss.PositiveInjurySep 26, 2026
Sam Darnold is returning for the game against the Commanders after missing the first two games with a glute injury; he practiced this week and feels great.PositiveInjurySep 26, 2026
The source reports that Sam Darnold is good to go for Sunday's game against the Commanders despite dealing with a glute injury.PositiveInjurySep 25, 2026
Sam Darnold practiced on Thursday after missing the previous week's game in Arizona due to a glute injury. He is aiming to play this Sunday against Washington, noting that he needs to feel confident in his body and movement to return to the field.NegativeInjurySep 24, 2026
Sam Darnold is returning to practice while managing a glute injury. The team is ramping him up throughout the week to see how he responds, with no immediate fear of re-injury. His status for Sunday remains undecided, but he is trending toward the earlier side of his recovery window.PositiveInjurySep 23, 2026
Sam Darnold is healing faster than expected from a glute injury and is expected to return to practice this week, with a chance to play against Washington.NegativeInjurySep 23, 2026
Sam Darnold is expected to return to practice this week for the Seahawks, though his game status remains uncertain.NegativeInjurySep 21, 2026
Sam Darnold missed the recent game but could return to practice this week in some capacity, according to Mike McDonald.NegativeInjurySep 19, 2026
Sam Darnold is expected to be out for a few more weeks, with sources suggesting a four-week recovery timeline from his September 9th injury.NegativeInjurySep 17, 2026
Sam Darnold has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Arizona due to a glute injury, though he is avoiding a trip to injured reserve.NegativeInjurySep 16, 2026
Sam Darnold is dealing with a unique soft tissue glute injury with no firm timeline for his return.NegativeInjurySep 12, 2026
Darnold is expected to miss the Seahawks' Week 2 game against the Cardinals due to a hip injury, though the team believes he avoided a long-term injury requiring IR.NegativeInjurySep 12, 2026
Sam Darnold is missing time due to injury, though the exact duration of his absence remains uncertain.NegativeInjurySep 11, 2026
Sam Darnold is dealing with an unusual muscle strain in his hip area; while there is currently no consideration for him to be placed on injured reserve, his specific timetable for a return remains to be determined.NegativeInjurySep 11, 2026
Sam Darnold is likely out for Week 2 against Arizona due to a hip injury sustained in the season opener; however, Ian Rapoport reports the injury is not as serious as initially feared, as the hip is not broken.NegativeMatchupSep 5, 2026
Sam Darnold is preparing for a significant matchup against Drake Maye, with notable changes to his team's coaching staff.PositiveProjectionJun 25, 2026
Darnold threw five touchdown passes and zero interceptions in three playoff games, executing the Seahawks' game plan of dominant defense, clock control, and ball security at a high level; he's entering year two of a three-year, $104 million deal (one of the lower-paid franchise QB contracts), and could cash in significantly if he continues playing at last season's level or the level he showed in Minnesota before the final two games.NegativeProjectionJun 23, 2026
Seahawks QB had Cinderella story last two seasons and won Super Bowl; biggest question is whether he can take game to another level and compete with Matthew Stafford and Rams, who look like favorites with Biles Garrett signing and Trent McDuffie addition; must elevate play especially with loss of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker.