Seattle, WA
Why Daniel Jeremiah believes in Seattle Seahawks' Sam Darnold
Which Sam Darnold are the Seattle Seahawks getting?
That’s a question wondered by many after the Seahawks made Darnold their new starting quarterback with a three-year contract last month.
Brock’s Seattle Seahawks Draft Profile: Two athletic guards from the old Pac-12
There’s the Sam Darnold that was on display for the first 17 weeks of last season – the one who completed 68.1% of his passes for 4,153 yards and 35 touchdowns to 12 interceptions in 16 games. That version of Darnold led the Minnesota Vikings to a 13-3 record and a chance to win the NFC North title in the final weeks of the regular season.
And there’s the Sam Darnold who showed up for the final two games for the Vikings – the one who went just 18 of 41 for 166 yards with the NFC North title on the line and was sacked a whopping nine times by the Los Angeles Rams the following week in the wild card round of the NFC playoffs. That version of the quarterback is closer to what he had been through his first six NFL seasons, which had led to many dubbing the former No. 3 overall pick as a bust.
The Seahawks are clearly banking on the thought that the progress Darnold showed for much of the season in Minnesota is real. At least one NFL insider thinks that’s the version of Darnold they’ll get.
“I’ve always been a fan of Sam Darnold,” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah told Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk during conversation Thursday. “I’ve always believed in Sam Darnold’s ability, and I think there’s so many people that had just put their feet in the ground on him and had decided that, ‘OK, we haven’t seen any good. He’s never going to be good. He’s not good.’
“And it was like they were just eyeballing the first sign of regression and then they were going to throw away the whole rest of the season based off the last two games.”
Jeremiah, a former NFL scout, said Darnold’s performance in Minnesota’s de facto NFC North title game was a bad one. But he’s not convinced that the struggles in the Vikings’ playoff loss fall on Darnold.
“Nobody was playing well in that situation,” Jeremiah said. “He got the tar kicked out of him. I mean, they couldn’t protect. He had no chance.”
Jeremiah likened the situation to what happened in the Super Bowl when superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs were trampled by the Philadelphia Eagles. The Chiefs had no answers for the Eagles’ menacing pass rush, Mahomes was sacked six times and threw two picks, and Kansas City’s quest for an elusive three-peat ended in a 40-22 loss.
“I always just tell people that are crucifying (Darnold) over those two games, well, then you better be the same person who’s crucifying Patrick Mahomes for the Super Bowl, too, because that’s the same type of a situation,” Jeremiah said.
“I don’t care how great you are. When you can’t pass protect, and you got no time and you’re getting the crap kicked out of you, it’s not going to look good. And that’s what happened in that last game with Minnesota.”
Seattle is the ‘perfect place’ for Darnold
News of Darnold’s signing came out just days after the Seahawks traded starting quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round pick in this year’s draft. The deal reunited Smith with former Seattle head coach Pete Carroll.
Brock and Salk asked Jeremiah if a Smith trade would have gotten done if Carroll hadn’t returned to coaching this offseason.
“I still think you would have found a taker,” Jeremiah said. “I think you would have found similar compensation for Geno somewhere.”
Ex-Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith reportedly gets new deal with Raiders
There are some stark similarities between the 27-year-old Darnold and 34-year-old Smith. Both were highly regarded quarterback prospects coming out of college. Both were drafted by the New York Jets. And both struggled early in their careers while failing to live up to expectations.
But like Darnold did last year, Smith experienced a career resurgence with the Seahawks when he took over as the starting quarterback following the Russell Wilson trade in 2022.
Jeremiah sees those similarities as a reason why Darnold fits in nicely with Seattle.
“I think Seattle is the perfect place because they’ve seen a quarterback who was drafted … and it didn’t quite work out for a while, and he just kind of needed to get in that right spot in that right fit and then off he goes,” Jeremiah said. “So I was like, this is a Geno Jr. situation. I mean, it’s history repeating itself.”
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 Seahawks news and analysis
• 3 tight end draft targets for Seattle Seahawks after first round
• Seattle Seahawks GM: ‘We’re working on’ adding a fullback
• Brock’s Seattle Seahawks Draft Profile: The fullback Seattle needs?
• Jeremiah: Potential Seattle Seahawks OL targets in ‘sweet spot’ of draft
• Seahawks GM confirms team’s stance on controversial ‘tush push’ play
The Seattle Mariners added depth at catcher by acquiring 29-year-old Jhonny Pereda from the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations.
In a corresponding move, the Mariners designated right-handed reliever Jackson Kowar for assignment to clear space on their 40-man roster.
Drayer: This is an opportunity for M’s fans to celebrate Rick Rizzs
Pereda joins free agent addition Andrew Knizner as potential backup catcher options for Seattle behind Cal Raleigh. The Mariners signed the 30-year-old Knizner to a one-year contract in December.
Pereda made his MLB debut in April 2024 with the Miami Marlins and spent the 2025 season with the Athletics and Minnesota Twins. The Venezuelan native has appeared in 48 career MLB games, slashing .241/.299/.296 with six doubles.
Pereda was designated for assignment by the Twins last Friday. He has one minor league option remaining.
Kowar, 29, was acquired by the Mariners as part of the December 2023 trade that sent outfielder Jarred Kelenic to the Atlanta Braves.
Kowar missed the 2024 season recovering from Tommy John surgery and spent last season hopping between Seattle and Triple-A Tacoma. He made 15 relief appearances with the Mariners last year, posting a 4.24 ERA with 15 strikeouts and seven walks in 17 innings after being activated from the injured list in late May.
Seattle Mariners news and analysis
• 2026 will be Rick Rizzs’ last season as voice of the Mariners
• Seattle Mariners announce broadcast team for 2026 season
• Reports: Seattle Mariners land top international prospect for 2027
• Mariners have league-high seven MLB Pipeline Top 100 prospects
• Seattle Mariners acquire RHP Cooper Criswell from NY Mets
SEATTLE – We start off dry on Tuesday, then the chance of showers returns this evening. We have been dry for 14 days now with zero measurable rainfall at SEA Airport. Late Tuesday into Wednesday we could see potential freezing rain at the passes. Winds will be gusty at times Tuesday from the east, then switch to more westerly winds by Wednesday.
We start off dry on Tuesday, then the chance of showers returns this evening.
What’s next:
We will see mostly cloudy skies Tuesday with highs in the upper 40s to low 50s, with showers returning by the late evening hours.
We will see mostly cloudy skies Tuesday with highs in the upper 40s to low 50s.
A few showers will start to move in later Tuesday, with snowflakes or freezing rain into early Wednesday.
A few showers will start to move in later Tuesday, with snowflakes or freezing rain into early Wednesday.
Winds are forecasted to pick up Wednesday as our next system starts to roll through. Strongest winds will be along the coast and north interior.
Winds are forecasted to pick up Wednesday as our next system starts to roll through. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Shower chances continue through the rest of the week with milder afternoon temperatures. Snow levels will also be high through Friday, reaching 6000 to 7000ft. Forecast is looking a little drier for the weekend, with a few sprinkles still in the forecast for now.
Shower chances continue through the rest of the week with milder afternoon temperatures.
MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
Rivian amps up competition with Tesla, pledging $4.6M to WA ballot initiative
How much does it cost to attend Super Bowl 2026? We crunched the numbers
Pierce County deputies shoot armed man in Parkland, WA
Seattle crowds protest US Border Patrol shooting of Alex Pretti in MN
Idaho murders photo release puts police on damage control as families fume
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The Source: Information in this story came from the FOX 13 Seattle Weather Team and the National Weather Service.
Over the past month, Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III has seemingly struck the right balance between attacking downhill and taking the yardage in front of him, while still mixing in the tantalizing elusiveness and explosion that makes him such a dangerous home-run threat.
It’s resulted in the best stretch of his career.
Report details Seahawks WR Kupp’s turmoil with Rams
And it was on display again in Sunday night’s NFC Championship, as Walker totaled 111 yards from scrimmage to help Seattle advance to the Super Bowl with a 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
Walker rushed for 62 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, while adding four catches for 49 yards. And he did so while taking on the bulk of the workload in the Seahawks’ first game since second-leading rusher Zach Charbonnet went down with a season-ending torn ACL.
“I thought Ken Walker was outstanding last night, considering he was being hit in the backfield (on some plays) almost as soon as he was handed the ball,” Bob Stelton said Monday on Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob. “He was driving the pile. The legs were churning.
“It just really felt like he set a tone,” Stelton added. “He ran with an attitude. And it was really cool to see that, because they needed it.”
Kenneth Walker III TOUCHDOWN. Seattle starts fast.
LARvsSEA on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/iH8SOGpK5o— NFL (@NFL) January 25, 2026
Walker set that tone on the Seahawks’ opening drive, turning a potential loss of yardage into a hard-fought 4-yard gain while bulldozing his way to the Rams’ 2-yard line. Then, on the ensuing third-and-goal play, Walker showcased his spectacular explosion by bouncing outside and racing around the edge for a 2-yard TD to put Seattle on the board.
Walker really dazzled on the next possession, when he led the Seahawks on a field-goal drive with an impressive three-play sequence. It began with Walker bursting through a hole for an 8-yard gain. On the next play, he unleashed a jaw-dropping juke on linebacker Omar Speights for another 8-yard gain. And he followed that by taking a screen pass for 14 more yards.
“That juke he put on Omar Speights, that was amazing,” Stelton said. “… He had the defender grabbing at air.”
This was nasty by Kenneth Walker III
LARvsSEA on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/9V7pJ3DQCd— NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2026
During a third-quarter touchdown drive, Walker had another tough, physical run where he pushed the pile an extra 5 yards for an 11-yard gain.
And in the game’s closing minutes, Walker kickstarted a pivotal clock-chewing drive by catching a short pass in the flat and eluding three defenders on his way to a 15-yard gain.
“He had a lot of great runs,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said during his Monday afternoon press conference. “He really did. And talk about hidden yardage within that game, he’s responsible for a lot of those hidden yards.
“I mean, we’d like to block him a little bit better at points. But when you have a guy like K9, he can make it right for you, so that was awesome.”
More on the Seattle Seahawks
• Seattle Seahawks Injury Updates: The latest on Thomas, Ouzts and more
• Seattle Seahawks had a brilliant way to get JSN open in NFC title win
• Seattle Seahawks’ Emmanwori ‘stood out all game’ in NFC Championship
• Brock and Salk: Seattle Seahawks have embraced Macdonald’s message
• Facing former team, Kupp helps propel Seattle Seahawks to Super Bowl
House destroyed after fire in Tolland
Where to find warming centers in Delaware during freezing temps
Looking for a job in Florida? The post office is hiring
Georgia lawmaker proposes renaming Sawnee Mountain for Trump
A 136kg body part was just found floating in the ocean in Hawai’i | Discover Wildlife
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Graham pushes back on Tillis’ criticism of Noem, Miller for labeling man killed by Border Patrol a ‘terrorist’
North Korea’s Kim to outline plans to boost nuclear arsenal
Rep. Ilhan Omar rushed by man on stage and sprayed with liquid at town hall event
Video: F.A.A. Ignored Safety Concerns Prior to Collision Over Potomac, N.T.S.B. Says
Democrats demand Kristi Noem be fired or warn impeachment will follow
-
Illinois6 days agoIllinois school closings tomorrow: How to check if your school is closed due to extreme cold
-
Sports1 week agoMiami’s Carson Beck turns heads with stunning admission about attending classes as college athlete
-
Pittsburg, PA1 week agoSean McDermott Should Be Steelers Next Head Coach
-
Lifestyle1 week agoNick Fuentes & Andrew Tate Party to Kanye’s Banned ‘Heil Hitler’
-
Pennsylvania2 days agoRare ‘avalanche’ blocks Pennsylvania road during major snowstorm
-
Sports1 week agoMiami star throws punch at Indiana player after national championship loss
-
Cleveland, OH1 week agoNortheast Ohio cities dealing with rock salt shortage during peak of winter season
-
Technology6 days agoRing claims it’s not giving ICE access to its cameras