The celebration at Lumen Field on Wednesday felt like vindication for Sam Darnold. Three days after hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at Levi’s Stadium, the Seattle Seahawks quarterback stood before thousands of fans, beer in hand, reflecting on a journey few believed possible.
Darnold addressed the roaring crowd with gratitude, thanking those who never wavered in their support. His message centered on belief, a theme that defined Seattle’s improbable championship run.
The former third overall pick praised owner Jody Allen, general manager John Schneider and coach Mike Macdonald for taking a chance on him. After Minnesota’s playoff disappointment last season, many questioned whether Darnold could lead a contender. Seattle answered by signing him to a three-year, $100.5 million deal in March, trading away Geno Smith in the process.
Darnold’s Redemption Story
The quarterback’s path to Super Bowl glory was anything but linear. After struggling with the New York Jets for three seasons following the 2018 draft, Darnold bounced to Carolina, where he lasted just two years. A backup role in San Francisco preceded his Pro Bowl campaign in Minnesota, but that season ended in wild-card heartbreak.
Seattle’s faith in Darnold paid off spectacularly. Despite leading the league with 20 turnovers during the regular season, he transformed in the playoffs. Playing through an injured oblique, Darnold threw five touchdown passes without a single turnover across three postseason games. In Super Bowl LX against New England, he completed 19 of 38 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown in the 29-13 victory.
The turning point came after a disastrous Week 11 performance against Los Angeles, where Darnold threw four interceptions. Linebacker Ernest Jones IV delivered an impassioned defense of his quarterback that night, declaring his unwavering support with an expletive-laden statement that became rallying cry for the team.
Jones Doubles Down
On Wednesday, Jones wore a T-shirt depicting Darnold with a cigarette and beer, middle finger raised defiantly. His speech echoed his November remarks, this time defending the entire organization against doubters. The crowd erupted as Jones proclaimed Seattle had the best team in the world, concluding with the same two-word message for critics.
Owner Allen smiled approvingly from the stage as Jones vowed the Seahawks weren’t going anywhere.
Championship Momentum
Running back Kenneth Walker III, the Super Bowl LX MVP, headlines Seattle’s list of pending free agents. The roster also includes key defensive contributors like cornerbacks Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe, safety Coby Bryant and outside linebacker Boye Mafe, plus wide receiver Rashid Shaheed.
Schneider joked that Walker attempted contract negotiations minutes before taking the stage, drawing laughs as fans chanted for the MVP.
Seattle faces immediate challenges despite the championship euphoria. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak departed for the Las Vegas head coaching job, prompting interviews with four internal candidates: quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, offensive passing game coordinator Jake Peetz, run game specialist Justin Outten and tight ends coach Mack Brown.
Building for a Repeat
The Seahawks boast one of the NFL’s youngest rosters, with Darnold locked in for two more seasons. However, their veteran defensive line needs an infusion of youth. Leonard Williams, DeMarcus Lawrence and Jarran Reed are all over 30, raising questions about long-term sustainability.
Williams addressed those concerns from the stage, declaring Seattle’s championship window wide open. The defensive lineman promised fans the team would return stronger next season, aiming to become only the second franchise in 20 years to win consecutive Super Bowls.
Ten Seahawks spoke at the celebration, which featured Lombardi Trophy imagery flanking the stage and a banner proclaiming the franchise’s second championship. The north end zone at Lumen Field transformed into a shrine for Seattle’s triumph, with players and executives sharing the moment with faithful supporters who endured years of playoff disappointment.
For Darnold, the day represented complete career rehabilitation. From draft bust to backup quarterback to Super Bowl champion, his story embodies the power of belief and second chances. As confetti rained down Sunday night, he thanked his parents for their unwavering support. On Wednesday, he thanked an entire city for believing when others wouldn’t.
Source: ESPN
