Sam Darnold’s Super Bowl victory with the Seahawks carries a big lesson

Sam Darnold’s journey in 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 the third overall pick out of USC in 2018 to the New York Jets, where he hoped to lead the team out of playoff purgatory and establish himself as one of the “Gang Green” greats.

Instead, Darnold found himself out of New York after three seasons, traded to the Carolina Panthers and beginning his move from the East Coast to the West Coast.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com

After struggling with Baker Mayfield in Carolina, Darnold finally landed as Brock Purdy’s backup with the San Francisco 49ers. He then had another opportunity to start in the league with the Minnesota Vikings, leading them to a 14-3 record.

The success Darnold found led him to make decisions in free agency, every player’s dream. He left with the Seahawks, reunited with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, and the rest is history.

SEAHAWKS’ KENNETH WALKER III WINS SUPER BOWL MVP AFTER DOMINANT PERFORMANCE IN RUSHING

So, as Darnold sat at Raising Cane’s to celebrate with a “shift” in front of Seahawks fans after the 29-13 victory, Pak Gazette Digital asked him what lesson he could learn from his journey around the league.

“I really think it’s about believing in yourself and taking it day by day,” he said by phone. “I think if there is any lesson, it’s that. Continue to be yourself in any situation and always believe in yourself.”

Darnold’s belief led him to this point. And he got a taste of what it will be like Wednesday 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 welcome I got from the fans was pretty special. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it. It’s just like nothing I’ve ever 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’ve been there for us all season, right up until the end. So I’m very grateful to play here in Seattle with these fans.”

Pak Gazette Digital spoke with Darnold in March 2025 when he made the decision to join the Seahawks after they had just traded Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, leaving the starting quarterback spot open. He said he loved the mutual interest and believed in head coach Mike Macdonald and the group of guys already in the building.

Darnold was simply hoping to fit in and help lead the team to the promised land. Mission accomplished.

“I clearly made the right decision,” he said almost a year later. “It has been a very special journey 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 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 even after the Super Bowl, we all wanted to play another game. Maybe not physically, but mentally and emotionally, we’re still in it and we love playing with each other. That’s all you can ask for when you sign up to play this big game.”