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Sam Darnold’s journey to the NFL has been nothing short of inspiring.
The quarterback was finally able to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy with his Seattle Seahawks, his fifth NFL team, on Sunday in Santa Clara.
Darnold was USC’s third overall pick in 2018 to the New York Jets, where he hoped to lead the team out of playoff purgatory and cement himself as one of the greats of “Gang Green.”
Instead, Darnold found himself out of New York after three seasons, was traded to the Carolina Panthers and began his move from the East Coast to the West Coast.
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Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
After battling with Baker Mayfield in Carolina, Darnold eventually landed as Brock Purdy’s backup with the San Francisco 49ers. Then he got another chance to start in the league with the Minnesota Vikings, leading them to a 14-3 record.
Darnold’s success led to free agency picks, every player’s dream. He went with the Seahawks, reuniting with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, and the rest is history.
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So, as Darnold sat in a Raising Cane’s to celebrate with a “change” in front of Seahawks fans after the 29-13 victory, PK Press Club Digital asked him what lesson could be learned from his journey through the league.
“I really think it’s about believing in yourself and taking things one day at a time,” he said by phone. “I think if there’s one lesson to learn, it’s this. Continue to be yourself in any situation and always believe in yourself.”
Darnold’s conviction has led him to this point. And he got a taste of what Wednesday will be like at the parade in Seattle when Seahawks fans flocked to Raising Cane’s to see their Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
“It’s amazing, man,” he said. “I mean, the warm reception I received from the fans was just pretty special. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold throws a pass during the first half of the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on February 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
“They were there for us all season, until the end. So I’m very grateful to play here in Seattle with these fans.”
PK Press Club Digital spoke with Darnold in March 2025 when he made the decision to join the Seahawks after they just traded Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, opening up the starting quarterback spot. He said he liked the mutual interest and believed in head coach Mike Macdonald and the group of guys already in the building.
Darnold simply hoped to fit in and help lead the team to the promised land. Mission accomplished.
“Obviously I made the right decision,” he said almost a year later. “It’s been a very special adventure with this group, with my teammates and the coaching staff we had this year.
Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks walks on the field after the NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams on January 25, 2026 in Seattle. The Seattle Seahawks won 31-27. (Getty Images)
“It’s funny, I feel like after the Super Bowl itself, we all wanted to play another game. Maybe not physically, but mentally, emotionally, we’re still in it, and we love playing ball with each other. That’s all you can ask for when you sign up to play this great game.”
