Seahawks' Sam Darnold gets 'elite' take from key defender that suggests 2025 was no fluke

The Seattle Seahawks expect quarterback Sam Darnold to carry forward a turnaround that culminated last season with the Vince Lombardi Trophy. After the success, Darnold enters the new year with heightened pressure to prove the resurgence wasn’t a one-off, especially since offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak left to lead the Las Vegas Raiders’ offense. Teammate support remains a central theme: Tacoma News Tribune’s Gregg Bell reports that veteran defensive tackle Jarran Reed says Darnold is “at the top of his game,” calling him “elite” on X. Darnold’s three-year, $100.5 million contract signed in 2025 was questioned, but he later guided Seattle to a Super Bowl appearance.