Seattle, WA
Seattle Seahawks’ Sam Darnold Signing Biggest Free Agency Move In NFL?
It’s been a fruitful offseason for a couple of former USC Trojans as they made waves with the contracts they signed during NFL free agency. The former Trojans have earned themselves big paydays after producing at a high level in the NFL and have been considered some of the best signings made across of all the league.
This offseason, however, the biggest free agent story was the signing of former USC quarterback Sam Darnold. After Darnold had a career resurgence with the Minnesota Vikings, he was one of the most sought after free agents. Eventually, Darnold signed a three-year deal worth $100.5 million
Interestingly enough, Seth Walder of ESPN gave two former Trojans the same free agency signing grade for Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold.
Walder gave both players a B- grade, but he said Hufanga’s grade might have been even higher if not for injury concerns. Hufanga will get at least $20 million guaranteed heading his way on three-year deal worth $45 million.
“On the fun scale, this signing is an A. But I can’t help but think that the Broncos paid a market rate for a player who should have been more of a buy-low signing…that said, one can imagine this really working out and I have to think that upside (which kept my grade as high as it did) was awfully tempting for Denver,” Walder said.
One of the top quarterbacks on the market, Sam Darnold cashed in after a big season in 2024 with the Minnesota Vikings and signed with the Seattle Seahawks for a three-year deal that guarantees the California native $55 million.
However, despite giving Darnold a B- grade as well, Walder was more bullish on his signing with Seattle.
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“The optimistic view is that the Seahawks landed Darnold for less than the Buccaneers paid to sign Baker Mayfield and quite a bit less than the Saints paid to sign Derek Carr for in 2023…that $55 million guarantee is a lot less than, say, Daniel Jones received with the Giants two years ago, and the contract is cheaper overall than I was expecting,” Walder said.
The Trojans are not done yet getting paid in free agency. One of the true active legends in the NFL, offensive tackle Tyron Smith is returning to the league for his 15th season.
Matt Bowen of ESPN said that Smith ranks as one of the top remaining free agents that are unsigned, listing him as the No. 27 player left on the market.
“Smith appeared in only 10 games last season, and his level of play is starting to diminish. The 6-5, 320-pound tackle had an 83.0% pass block win rate in 2024, which was below league average. There are still Hall of Fame flashes from the veteran, though, and he could get another one-year deal this offseason,” Bowen said.
Despite being on the older side, turnining 35 in December of this year, Smith should still find work due to a diminshing market for offensive lineman in free agency.
The Seattle Mariners have been staring down a difficult decision for weeks now and it’s only getting closer as Bryce Miller nears the end of his rehab assignment.
Two factors Hyphen sees in Bryan Woo’s recent struggles
When Miller makes his return to the big league club, which is now less than two weeks away barring a setback, the Mariners will have six capable starters but only five rotation spots.
The assumption when Miller started the season on the injured list was that he would replace Emerson Hancock when he returned, but Hancock has been Seattle’s best starter thus far, posting a 2.59 ERA over seven starts while striking out batters at a career-best 28.9% clip.
Now it looks as if veteran Luis Castillo could be the top candidate to taken out of the rotation. In seven starts this season, the right-hander has produced a 6.29 ERA and minus-0.8 bWAR.
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan weighed in on the possibility of Castillo being taken out of the starting rotation when he joined Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk on Tuesday.
“I think it all depends on where Luis Castillo’s frame of mind is,” Passan said. “If Luis Castillo is open to going to the bullpen, you consider that. And if he is not, then you take a look and see what his willingness to go on the injured list is. And if that’s not the case, then maybe you do consider a six-man rotation. I think there are just lots of different possibilities here.”
For Passan, what Castillo has done for the organization, which includes helping the team reach the playoffs twice, is also an important part of the equation.
“I think what also factors in is Luis Castillo has done this for a really long time at a really high level and been a really important part of the success that you’ve had organizationally, and I don’t take that lightly,” Passan said. “I think the way that you treat people who have done right by you and helped you get into the position (you’re in), they’re not disposable. So you can’t just say to Luis Castillo, you’re not performing right now, you’re going to the pen.
“Well, you could. I just don’t know how well that goes over and I don’t know what sort of precedent that sets for treatment of players going forward.”
Passan added that moving Castillo to the bullpen is the type of “cold” decision a contender has to make sometimes, but that having a productive Castillo is also key for the team.
“Having a productive Luis Castillo makes them much likelier to be a World Series team,” Passan said. “You can get rid of your manager and survive that. But knowing that Castillo has to be around still, you just need to be mindful of the way – not even the way that you’re treating him, because the way that you’re treating him is through your perspective. The question is, how does he feel like he’s being treated? That is imperative here, and if you can thread the needle and figure out a way to solve your problem while still keeping Luis Castillo content, then that’s the ideal (situation). That’s the goal, that is the aim of this whole thing. And it’s a very delicate and difficult subject.”
Castillo in line for positive regression?
While it has been a struggle for Castillo early on, Passan sees some reason to believe his numbers will level out with more starts. He pointed to Castillo’s 4.25 FIP, which is nearly identical to Bryan Woo’s and better than Logan Gilbert’s. However, he is concerned with Castillo’s career-low groundball rate.
“Ever since he’s come to Seattle, he’s been much more of a flyball pitcher. But he’s down to a 33% ground ball rate this year. Not good,” Passan said. “I will say this, the positive regression is going to come in the form of runners being stranded. He’s got a strand rate right now of only 58.8%, league average is somewhere in the 70-plus range.”
Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player in this story. Listen to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
Seattle Mariners coverage
• Seattle Mariners place Gabe Speier on IL, add two lefty relievers
• The latest on Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh’s injury
• Seattle Mariners showing some concerning signs on defense
• Mariners prospect Felnin Celesten on a tear for High-A Everett
• What Mariners’ Emerson Hancock says has been key to his breakout
The West Seattle Junction space formerly occupied by Willow, preceded by Fleurt, will not be empty for long. A familiar Junction fashion entrepreneur is moving into 4536 California SW – here’s the announcement:
Well-known West Seattle staple Carmilia’s announced today that it will open a new store in the Alaska Junction, offering everything from skincare products to fashion accessories. The new store, located at 4536 California Ave SW, formerly home to Fleurt and Willow, will do a soft opening on Art Walk Night, May 14, 2026. Carmilia’s owner, Linda Walsh, is at the helm of the project.
The store will be filled with all of Walsh’s favorite things: shoes, accessories, and gifts, at a variety of price points. It’s the perfect place to find unique and playful items for your next celebration or shopping spree. The store’s scheduled hours are Wednesday-Saturday 11 am-6 pm, and Sunday 10 am-4 pm.
Walsh told us she hasn’t yet settled on a name, so if you pass the future shop’s windows you will probably see “Watch This Space” as a placeholder!
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