The Seattle Seahawks delivered a hard-fought victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18, a result that determined the final outcome of the NFC West and the conference’s No. 1 seed.
For Seattle’s quarterback, Sam Darnold, the win not only clinched home-field advantage for the postseason, but also placed his name in the same breath as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Jared Goff — a feat requiring a historic level of statistical dominance and winning that his presence on the roster alone does not fulfill.
The specific quarterback club at issue is arguably one of the most exclusive in modern NFL history, currently comprised of just three generational talents who have accomplished the incredible feat of leading multiple franchises to seasons of 14 or more victories. This standard demands sustained, elite individual statistical success — including the high win totals necessary for deep playoff runs — with two entirely different organizations. It’s a measure of success reserved for those who reinvent themselves as franchise leaders rather than supporting players.
Here’s more on Darnold’s historic feat.
MORE WEEK 18 NFL:
QBs to lead multiple teams to 14-win seasons
Darnold joins an exclusive group of quarterbacks who have led multiple franchises to a season of at least 14 victories is one of the most elite milestones in NFL history, historically reserved for generational talents.
The list currently includes Tom Brady, who achieved the feat with both the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Peyton Manning, who did so with the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos; and Jared Goff, who accomplished it with the Los Angeles Rams and the Detroit Lions.
Though, Darnold joins a more exclusive club with Brady as the only quarterback to win 14+ games in two straight seasons.
Sam Darnold now joins Tom Brady as the only QB in NFL history to win 14+ games in two straight years.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) January 4, 2026
Unreal.
This achievement represents sustained, individual success in leading two entirely different teams to Super Bowl contention.
MORE: Seahawks clinch No. 1 seed in NFC
Sam Darnold career stats
| Year | Team | Games (GS) | Comp | Att | Comp % | Yards | TD | INT | Passer Rating |
| 2018 | New York Jets | 13 (13) | 239 | 414 | 57.7% | 2,865 | 17 | 15 | 77.6 |
| 2019 | New York Jets | 13 (13) | 273 | 441 | 61.9% | 3,024 | 19 | 13 | 84.3 |
| 2020 | New York Jets | 12 (12) | 217 | 364 | 59.6% | 2,208 | 9 | 11 | 72.7 |
| 2021 | Carolina Panthers | 12 (12) | 243 | 406 | 59.8% | 2,527 | 9 | 13 | 71.9 |
| 2022 | Carolina Panthers | 6 (6) | 82 | 140 | 58.6% | 1,143 | 7 | 3 | 92.6 |
| 2023 | San Francisco 49ers | 10 (0) | 28 | 46 | 60.9% | 297 | 2 | 1 | 85.1 |
| 2024 | Minnesota Vikings | 17 (17) | 361 | 545 | 66.2% | 4,319 | 35 | 12 | 102.5 |
| 2025 | Seattle Seahawks | 17 (17) | 323 | 477 | 67.7% | 4,048 | 25 | 14 | 99.2 |
| TOTAL | 100 | 1,775 | 2,891 | 61.4% | 20,431 | 123 | 82 | 86.4 |
Darnold's career arc can be neatly divided into three distinct phases, beginning with his early years as a highly touted top-five draft pick for the New York Jets. His first three seasons were marked by high interception totals and low passer ratings, consistently falling under the 85.0 mark while never completing 62% of his passes in a single year. These initial campaigns —which saw the team struggle to win — established a narrative of unfulfilled potential and turnover issues, leading to his eventual trade from the franchise that originally invested in him.
The middle phase of his career, spanning his time with the Carolina Panthers and his brief stint as a backup for the San Francisco 49ers, was characterized by inconsistency and a struggle for starting opportunities. His single full season with the Panthers in 2021 proved to be one of his least efficient outings, further damaging his reputation as a viable NFL starter. However, a glimmer of hope appeared during his limited action in 2022 and his backup year in 2023, where his rate statistics showed a slight uptick in efficiency, suggesting he could operate effectively within a well-structured system.
Darnold's career has recently experienced a significant revival with his move to the Minnesota Vikings and subsequently the Seattle Seahawks. His 2024 season with the Vikings represented a career-best statistical performance, recording over 4,300 yards, 35 touchdowns, and his first career passer rating above 100.
He successfully built on that success in 2025 with the Seahawks, achieving a career-high completion percentage (67.2%) and a rating just under 100 as he led Seattle to the No. 1 seed in the NFC. These recent seasons, where he has led two different teams to 13-win seasons, have firmly repositioned Darnold as a high-end starting quarterback in the league.
MORE: How Sam Darnold made a big bonus in Week 18
Where is Sam Darnold from?
Darnold is a native of Southern California, born in Dana Point, California, on June 5, 1997. He grew up in the nearby community of Capistrano Beach, located in Orange County, an affluent coastal region between Los Angeles and San Diego.
He attended San Clemente High School in San Clemente, California, where his athletic pursuits were initially split between football and basketball. He did not begin his football career as a full-time quarterback, instead playing wide receiver and linebacker as a sophomore. Darnold transitioned to quarterback as a junior and truly broke out during his senior year, when he demonstrated impressive dual-threat ability by throwing for nearly 3,000 yards and 39 touchdowns while also rushing for an additional 13 scores.
Despite a significant foot injury interrupting his junior football season, Darnold’s explosive senior performance was enough to catch the attention of top college programs. His high school career concluded with an appearance in the CIF-Southern Section Southwest Division championship game, establishing him as a top recruit and paving the way for him to enroll at the University of Southern California (USC), just 60 miles from his hometown.
MORE: Complete NFL playoff picture
How old is Sam Darnold?
Darnold is currently 28 years old, having been born on June 5, 1997.
His entry into the professional ranks came via the 2018 NFL Draft, where he was selected by the New York Jets in the first round with the 3rd overall pick. Darnold was part of a landmark quarterback class that also included Baker Mayfield (1st overall), Josh Allen (7th overall), and Lamar Jackson (32nd overall)