Just a few years ago, many had written Sam Darnold off as another “what could have been” quarterback story.
After a rocky run with the New York Jets and an unconvincing spell at the Carolina Panthers, few expected him to resurface as one of the NFL’s top performers.
But on Sunday night in Washington, the 28-year-old showed exactly why the Seattle Seahawks handed him a $100.5 million contract over the summer.
Darnold’s journey from near obscurity to stardom reached new heights as he led the Seahawks to a dominant 38–14 victory over the Washington Commanders, turning in a first-half performance that had fans calling him the league’s new MVP favorite.
A First Half for the History Books
If there was any doubt about Darnold’s form, it disappeared within the first two quarters.
The Seahawks quarterback was nothing short of spectacular — completing all 15 of his pass attempts for 256 yards and four touchdowns.
Two of those went to wide receiver Tory Horton, while Cody White and Elijah Arroyo each snagged one apiece.
The Commanders’ defense looked powerless as Darnold dissected them with precision passing and calm control.
It wasn’t just an efficient half — it was, statistically and stylistically, perfection.
By the time the whistle blew for halftime, Seattle had built an unassailable lead, and Darnold had tied a franchise record with 17 straight completions.
Fans Declare Darnold the MVP
NFL fans wasted no time flooding social media with praise.
“Sam Darnold is the current MVP of the NFL and the Seahawks are a Super Bowl-caliber team with him,” one viewer declared.
Another wrote, “It’s a primetime game, and Sam Darnold just became the new MVP favorite.”
Meanwhile, stunned Minnesota Vikings supporters — the team Darnold starred for last season — expressed regret over letting him leave for nothing.
One fan boldly tweeted, “We might have just seen the greatest first half by any quarterback in NFL history from Sam Darnold.”
Others compared him to legendary Saints QB Drew Brees, praising his accuracy, poise, and growth.
Commanders Fight Back — But Darnold Dominates
The Commanders finally found the end zone before halftime thanks to Jayden Daniels, who scrambled in for a touchdown.
But by then, the damage was done.
Darnold’s only misstep of the night came in the third quarter when Washington’s Mike Sainristil picked off one of his passes.
It was a rare blemish on an otherwise flawless evening.
Undeterred, Darnold responded by marching Seattle right back down the field, leading a scoring drive capped off by tight end AJ Barner’s touchdown to make it 38–7.
By the time he exited the game in the fourth quarter, Darnold had racked up 330 passing yards, proving once again that his resurgence in Seattle is no fluke.
A Scary Moment for Jayden Daniels
The night, however, took a grim turn for Washington’s young quarterback, Jayden Daniels.
Late in the game, Daniels attempted a desperate run toward the end zone only to be brought down hard by Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas.
As Daniels braced his fall, his left arm twisted awkwardly, causing what appeared to be a serious elbow injury.
The second-year quarterback lay on the turf in visible pain as medical staff rushed to his aid.
Teammates gathered around, kneeling in concern as Daniels received on-field treatment.
He was eventually fitted with a padded brace and helped off the field before being taken to the locker room for further evaluation.
Thankfully, the injury was to his non-throwing arm — a small relief after a frightening moment.
A Night That Could Redefine Darnold’s Career
For Sam Darnold, this wasn’t just another strong outing — it was a statement.
The Seahawks now sit at 5–2, and their quarterback is fast emerging as one of the season’s biggest success stories.