The Seahawks and Sam Darnold are Cruising Toward a Crossroads
As far as crossroads go, the Seahawks and Sam Darnold are doing just fine. Needing to pay an underpaid passer more money after delivering a franchise the Lombardi Trophy is the definition of a “champagne problem.”
Nevertheless, the issue remains: Mr. Darnold is very underpaid. Somehow, the QB1 is only 28. Somehow, he got added for a three-year deal coming in a hair above $100 million. The budget shows a $37.9 million cap charge for his services, but that’s likely to get adjusted. After all, Darnold is sitting on a ton of leverage if his effort is to lock-in a huge payday.
Sam Darnold Soon to Drain ATM in Seattle
Considering the annual average — often a misguided measure, but one that’s an easy-to-digest shorthand — can help to illustrate the issue with Sam Darnold’s contract.
At present, Darnold demands $33.5 million per season. Getting paid so much in almost every other workplace means being filthy rich. Being an NFL quarterback is a unique job insofar as being in the low-to-mid 30s is quite modest, especially if the play is somewhere between good to very good.
Note that Kirk Cousins — ever heard of him? — is demanding $45 million per season even though he’s Atlanta’s QB2 (and not as good as Sam Darnold).
Las Vegas passer Geno Smith makes more. So does Kyler Murray, who appears to be moving on from the Cardinals. Deshaun Watson has been terrible with the Browns and he makes more. All of Brock Purdy, Tua Tagovailoa, and Jared Goff have higher annual averages. None of ’em have snagged a Super Bowl.
Goodness, Dak Prescott is gobbling up an average of $60 million per season. Mr. Prescott deserves respect and is unquestionably a starting-level passer. But $60 million per season? Paying so much to a QB1 is about winning in the playoffs, something that Prescott hasn’t done (at least not yet).
Prescott is 2-5 in his playoff career. At no point has he pushed the Cowboys toward the NFC Championship Game, let alone the Super Bowl.
Add it all together and Mr. Darnold deserves a hearty raise.
In all likelihood, Seattle will be keen to continue employing Darnold. Very talented, Darnold is coming off a season where he led his Seahawks to a 14-3 record. Much of the team success resulted from a sizzling defense. Nevertheless, note that Darnold completed 67.7% of his passes for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
He stands at 6’3″ and weighs 225 pounds. At 28, Darnold is (possibly) capable of playing for another decade. Moreover, Darnold is a gifted athlete with fantastic arm talent, allowing him to stretch the field vertically.
As things stand, the Seahaws are estimated to have north of $63 million in cap space. Just wild to consider given the success. Seattle has more than enough money to pay Darnold even if he demands considerably more.
Almost instantly, the Vikings’ decision to move on from Sam Darnold has gone down as one of the franchise’s all-time blunders.
