Huard: Seahawks QB Sam Darnold off to ‘phenomenal’ start

It’s still early, but the Sam Darnold era is off to a promising start in the Pacific Northwest.

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Darnold has been sharp and efficient through his first four games with the Seattle Seahawks, completing 70% of his passes for 905 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.

He’s been accurate while pushing the ball downfield, posting the second-highest completion rate on passes that travel 20-plus yards, according to Pro Football Focus.

He’s made a handful of big throws in crunch time, including a 22-yarder to Jaxon Smith-Njigba that set up Seattle’s game-winning field goal against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night.

And he’s done it all while limiting mistakes, with PFF tagging him for only one turnover-worthy play through four games.

Darnold’s ability to mesh efficiency, accuracy and smart decision-making with creating explosive gains downfield is a big reason why he’s currently PFF’s highest-graded quarterback.

And it’s why former NFL QB Brock Huard heaped praise on the 28-year-old Darnold during Friday’s edition of Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk.

“Sam Darnold has been terrific,” Huard said. “You get a sense of control (with him). … His feet and his eyes are connected. His posture is connected. If it’s there, he throws it. If it’s not, he extends the play. He had a great scramble last night as well.

“He’s just been phenomenal,” Huard added. “Phenomenal stuff, and a big reason why they’re 3-1.”

Excelling in the clutch

Darnold led five game-winning drives last year during his breakout campaign with the Minnesota Vikings.

And this season, he’s continued to make big plays in the closing minutes.

On Thursday night, Darnold hit Smith-Njigba for a 36-yard completion on Seattle’s penultimate drive, which looked like a potential knockout punch until Jason Myers’ missed field goal a few plays later. But even after the Cardinals followed with a game-tying touchdown drive, Darnold came right back and hit Smith-Njigba for the 22-yard completion that set up Myers’ game-winning kick.

Darnold 🎯 JSN

The @seahawks looking to win it.

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Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/mCvcq1TCRc

— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2025

Back in Week 2, Darnold delivered a massive two-play sequence that helped put away the Pittsburgh Steelers. First, Darnold spun out of a potential third-down sack and floated a 19-yard completion to tight end AJ Barner to extend the drive. Then on the ensuing play, Darnold uncorked a 43-yard deep ball to Smith-Njigba that set up a game-sealing touchdown.

And even in a Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Darnold threw a 40-yard dime to Smith-Njigba that placed Seattle on the cusp of a game-winning TD with just over a minute left.

“Sam’s playing out of his mind right now,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said. “You see him and he’s just such a cool customer. But he’s a guy on a mission. He’s just so determined for us to be a great team and a great offense. And he’s doing a great job leading us.”

Listen to the full Brock and Salk conversation at this link or in the audio player near the middle of this story. Tune in to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

More on the Seattle Seahawks

• Macdonald: Leonard Williams ‘deserves more love’ nationally
• Seahawks’ Uchenna Nwosu makes a statement in 3rd game back
• Observations from Seattle Seahawks’ last-second win over Cardinals
• Instant Reaction: Seattle Seahawks hold on to beat Cardinals
• 20 wins in 20 days: M’s, Hawks have Seattle sports in rarefied air

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