Surprise news of an oblique ailment led many to question Sam Darnold's viability as quarterback of a favorite to win the NFC title.
Two weeks later, the worries seem more like overexaggerated fuss than a legitimate concern. After a pedestrian showing in a lopsided win over the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round, Darnold propelled the Seahawks to Super Bowl LX in the NFC Championship Game, tossing three touchdowns and showing zero signs of discomfort.
Seahawks general manager John Schneider -- the same individual who lured Darnold to Seattle with a three-year, $100.5 million contract in early 2025 -- learned something new about his quarterback: He's tough as nails.
"I think we were all more panicked in what was going on than he was," Schneider said Thursday, via ESPN. "He was kind of looking at us like we had three heads, like, 'What's everybody so worried about?' He's like, 'I'll be good.'"
Darnold has indeed been good, completing 37 of 53 attempts for 470 yards and four touchdowns in his two playoff showings. He's also vanquished his unsavory reputation for wilting in big-time games, going throw for throw with NFL MVP candidate Matthew Stafford in the Seahawks' triumph over the Rams in the NFC Championship Game.
Darnold suffered the injury in Seattle's Jan. 15 practice, unexpectedly appearing on the Seahawks' injury report with a questionable designation. In the end, Seattle didn't have much reason to question whether Darnold might play, and even less cause for concern he might not produce, throwing for 346 yards and three TDs in the win over Los Angeles despite "barely" practicing or throwing a ball during the week of preparation, according to coach Mike Macdonald.
"I haven't seen a lot of quarterbacks not throw a ball and then go out and play like that," Schneider said, "and we've been blessed to be around some pretty good ones."
With the week off between Championship Weekend and Super Bowl LX, Darnold has additional time to rest and receive treatment. So far, the injury hasn't hampered him; with an extra week to get right, Seahawks fans should expect more of the same stellar play from Darnold -- the quarterback Macdonald said "shut a lot of people up" with his NFC title game showing -- in Santa Clara.
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