How Sam Darnold went from Jets to Panthers to 49ers to Vikings to Seahawks stardom

Billy Heyen

•

This is the player the New York Jets thought they were getting.

It just took a while for Sam Darnold to realize the potential he had when the was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

It took Darnold stops with the Carolina Panthers, and the San Francisco 49ers, and the Minnesota Vikings, and now he's shining in the postseason for the Seattle Seahawks.

It's certainly been quite the journey.

MORE: NFL fans want Tony Romo to 'shut up'

Why did Jets get rid of Sam Darnold?

Darnold spent his first three NFL seasons with the Jets. He went 13-25.

He threw 45 touchdowns but 39 interceptions, too.

The Jets traded him to the Carolina Panthers in April 2021 for draft picks that never amounted to any key pieces.

Darnold spent two seasons in Carolina, partially competing with Baker Mayfield and never getting a full chance there, either.

He went 8-9 in his starts across those two seasons, with 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

He became a free agent after the 2022 season.

Darnold spent one season with the 49ers after signing as a free agent in March 2023.

He made just one start there, but that wasn't the key.

Instead, Darnold learned from head coach Kyle Shanahan, and it made him better.

He signed with the Vikings after that season.

MORE: Drake Maye, Mike Vrabel make Patriots super again

The Vikings had Darnold for one season, and he went 14-3.

He got the starting job with no questions asked after J.J. McCarthy was injured in the preseason and missed the rest of the year.

Darnold struggled in Week 18 and the playoffs, though, and the Vikings let him go to give the job to McCarthy.

Darnold signed for about $100 million with the Seahawks.

With Seattle, Darnold led the Seahawks to the NFC's No. 1 seed, and it's clear he has grown into a top-tier QB.