Bump: Sam Darnold can be even better for Seahawks in ’26

At this point last year, much of the conversation about the Seattle Seahawks centered around whether or not Sam Darnold could deliver as the team’s starting quarterback.

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After the Seahawks drafted quarterback Jalen Milroe in the third round, there was even some wonder as to if Darnold’s tenure could go the way of Matt Flynn’s. Flynn was signed as a free agent back in 2012, but he was beat out for the starting job by rookie third-rounder Russell Wilson and never started a game for Seattle.

Darnold didn’t suffer the same fate as Flynn. He was the starter all season long. There were ups and downs for the USC product along the way, but in the end, he led the Seahawks to an NFC West title, conference championship and their second Super Bowl win in franchise history.

As Darnold enters Year 2 in Seattle, former NFL wide receiver Michael Bumpus believes he can take another step forward. Bumpus, a Seahawks Radio Network analyst, shared why he expects more from Darnold in 2026 during his Four Down Territory segment on Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy on Wednesday.

For Bumpus, part of the equation is the fact Darnold is clearly entrenched as the starter following last season’s performance.

“I think that him having that job security, it does something for an athlete sometimes knowing that you’re the guy, knowing that this franchise believes in you,” Bumpus said. “It allows you to play more freely. And I think he played freely last year too, but I think that after you win a Super Bowl and now you’re validated, you can take another step.”

In his first year with the Seahawks, Darnold completed 67.7% of his passes for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns with 14 interceptions in 17 regular season games.

Darnold will be working with a new offensive coordinator this season with Brian Fleury taking over for Klint Kubiak, who was hired as the Las Vegas Raiders head coach. However, Fleury is expected to run a similar offense to Kubiak. He’s well-versed in the system after spending seven seasons under Kyle Shanahan as an assistant with the San Francisco 49ers, which included working alongside Kubiak while Darnold was also with San Francisco in 2023.

“I can see him tossing 30 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and over 4,200 yards (in 2026),” said Bumpus, who also noted cutting down on turnovers will be key for Darnold. “Sam Darnold can be better, and I’m excited to see how he can grow. And it’s funny we’re talking about a guy growing and hes’ been in the league… eight years. But he can still grow. So, Sam Darnold is gonna have himself a good year.”

Made it look easy. 😤 Darnold to JSN for 53 yards.

📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/aPg0aP9s9A

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 5, 2025

Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player in this story. Listen to Bump and Stacy weekdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app. 

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