Sam Darnold's Seahawks Contract: More Than Meets the Eye
Whenever NFL deals are finalized, the focus often lies on the duration in years and the potential total value if every aspect unfolds ideally as planned. However, these figures typically serve more to create buzz, inflate agents' and players' self-esteem, and attract maximum publicity.
A more crucial aspect is the assured funds along with how the agreement is set up, which allows franchises an escape hatch should circumstances not unfold as anticipated.
This leads us to the three-year, $100.5 million deal that quarterback Sam Darnold inked with the Seattle Seahawks during the initial phase of this year’s free agency signing period.
Although the $100.5 million seems substantial for Darnold, the deal’s structure allegedly allows Seattle to release him at the end of this season without carrying any dead money on their future financial records.
As reported by Pro Football Talk on Sunday, although Darnold’s $37.5 million salary for the 2025 season is entirely guaranteed, the Seattle Seahawks do have some escape clauses in the agreement.
First, the pertinent contract information through PFT :
According to a source familiar with the conditions, here’s an approximate distribution:
1. Compensation for 2025: $37.5 million, entirely guaranteed.
2. Compensation in 2026: $27.5 million, with $17.5 million guaranteed due to injury and set to become entirely guaranteed following Super Bowl LX.
3. Compensation for 2027: $35.5 million, not guaranteed.
The agreement also encompasses $2 million annually for personal achievements, $2.5 million each year for playoff success, and $500,000 yearly for overall team accomplishments."
To put it differently, should Darnold fail to replicate his 2024 form and instead reverts to being the lesser-quality QB he mostly was throughout his career, the Seahawks might cut ties with him right after Super Bowl LX—provided he remains fit—and wouldn’t have to pay him further funds nor would they bear any dead salary cap charges in subsequent years.
It makes the contract a one-year deal with two option years for the Seahawks.
That’s quite a low-risk venture for the Seahawks, which likely makes it a wise move for them as well.
Although Darnold stood out among the notable players available in this year’s free agency period and is widely regarded as the premier quarterback option, doubts remain about his true capabilities and what performance can be anticipated from him in the upcoming seasons.
In the 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings, he played exceptionally well, contributing significantly to guiding the team to a remarkable 14-3 regular-season record. He managed to throw for an impressive 35 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions, making him one of the most surprising and successful players in the league that year. This level of play marked a significant leap from what he achieved over his preceding six seasons and benefited greatly from ideal circumstances, including a strong offensive strategy and exceptional talents among his teammates at various key roles.
What if it happened by chance?
What if he doesn’t replicate that success in Seattle, particularly with neither Justin Jefferson nor Jordan Addison available to create big plays for him?
All valid questions.
If Darnold shows that the 2024 season was merely an anomaly, they could essentially reset in 2026 without significant repercussions, aside from having only Darnold’s 2025 salary as a drawback.
Should he demonstrate that this progress is genuine, they will retain their quarterback for the next couple of seasons at quite an advantageous cost.
After trading longtime quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2025 third-round draft pick, the Seattle Seahawks brought in Darnold as their new signal-caller.
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