It’s been only a week since Sam Darnold touched down in Seattle, and he already is getting negative connotations. You’d think his Seahawks chapter would bring a fresh start with all sunshine and rainbows, right? But with Darnold, it’s like dark clouds follow him everywhere, just leaving him alone in Minnesota. Coming off a breakout year with the Vikings that saw Darnold earn his first Pro Bowl honor. The Seahawks took him under their wings, but still, that ‘prove it’ narrative runs deep in the minds of NFL gurus. And that has led to an ESPN analyst dropping a bold draft rumor, which could make Darnold a bit uncomfortable at his new home.

With the free agency market going cold, all eyes are yet again on the NFL draft. Who goes where? Who picks who? Which team still needs to add? Those are the constant questions rambling around the NFL right now. So, ESPN’s draft analyst Matt Miller thought, why not answer a question that could be on the minds of the NFL community ahead of the draft in Indy? When asked, “Which sleeper team is your favorite to watch for targeting a QB in the first two rounds?” Miller’s answer may not bring a smile to Darnold’s face.

“Seattle Seahawks,“ Miller answered. Reason? “There’s a chance he doesn’t maintain the level of success he had in 2024 now that he doesn’t have Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell calling the plays and a great receiver duo supporting him,” Miller claimed. I mean, of course, Darnold won’t have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in Seattle. Also, Kevin O’Connell, who simply changed Darnold’s NFL career. But will he really fail without them? Well, that’s the gamble Miller thinks the Seahawks probably won’t take.

He believes the Seahawks could probably give Darnold the Kirk Cousins treatment by drafting a rookie QB, “The Seahawks could still look to add at the position. Ok, maybe not quite early as the Falcons did last year by taking Michael Penix Jr. at No.8 after signing Kirk Cousins, but the idea is the same. I’d keep an eye on Texas’ Quinn Ewers on Day 2, when the Seattle has four total selections.” So, here’s the kicker for Darnold, as per Miller.

Kirk Cousins was signed to a whopping 4-year, $180M contract at 35. So, considering the money the Falcons invested, no one in the NFL thought they would again draft a QB. But defying all predictions, the Falcons used their No.8 overall pick to draft Michael Penix Jr. And against all odds, it proved to be a savior. The moment Cousins started to underperform, the Falcons went straight to Penix Jr. and made him the starter.

So, Miller probably thinks the Seahawks could do the same and draft Quinn Ewers. Coming out of the Longhorns with 9,128 passing yards and 68 TDs under his belt. He could be the Penix Jr of the Seahawks if Darnold does end up struggling. Well, there’s actually another scenario the Seahawks could end up taking once Darnold doesn’t live up to his expectations. They could throw him out of Seattle after just 1 year in Emerald City.

Seattle Seahawks insert an escape clause in Sam Darnold’s contract

What if Sam Darnold’s inner Jet came out in Seattle instead of a Viking? Then what? Do the Seahawks cling to their $100.5M worth QB? Or can they move on from him quickly? Well, the answer is yes. The Seahawks can escape from Darnold’s contract because of the way it is structured. So, here’s how Darnold’s contract in Seattle is laid out.

This means the 2025 season will basically be a trial run for Darnold in Seattle. If he does deliver like last season, completing 66.2% of his passes for 4,319 yards and 35 TDs. Then, the Seahawks could probably keep him in Seattle for the length of his contract. However, if this positive scenario doesn’t play out. The Seahawks can get rid of the former No.3 overall pick without incurring any penalties or losses whatsoever.

So, everything rests in the hands of Darnold. Fail in Seattle, and whatever you build in Minnesota will be forgotten soon enough. But succeeding in Seattle without Kevin O’Connell, Jefferson, and Addison will definitely squash any negative narrative about him once and for all.