Seahawks are Super Bowl bound once again if Sam Darnold can defy the odds that are against him heading into 2026
Sam Darnold was a big catalyst behind the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run and he’ll have to have another strong season if the team wants a crack at another ring. An MVP-worthy season would guarantee that.
It’s safe to say Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks are well-equipped for another Super Bowl run in 2026.
Yet, for some reason, Darnold is 14th when it comes to the odds of winning the NFL’s prestigious Most Valuable Player of the Year, or MVP, in 2026.
Right now, Darnold’s odds sit at +2800, which are tied with Jalen Hurts and behind names like Trevor Lawrence and Jayden Daniels. Honestly, it doesn’t make a lot of sense when considering Darnold not only outplayed both quarterbacks in 2025, but he’s on a better team compared to the current rosters that comprise the Washington Commanders and Jacksonville Jaguars.
The ingredients are there for Sam Darnold to have an MVP-caliber season with the Seahawks
For starters, the Seahawks return a lot of the playmakers from last year. Yea, losing Kenneth Walker III is a big hit, but rookie Jadarian Price should make a positive impact in his stead.
Rashid Shaheed will have a full offseason to get up to speed where he can make plays in the passing game – something he was unable to do after arriving around the midseason point, last year. The biggest question really comes in at the left guard position where Anthony Bradford had a very up-and-down year and currently remains the starter.
Meaning, Darnold has plenty around him to where he make produce big plays that lead to big numbers.
The Seahawks defense should be dominant once again, as well, placing Darnold in advantageous positions to where he can not only rack up numbers, but win games, too.
The latter aspect is most important because it doesn’t matter how good a season a player is having if his team isn’t winning games. That’s the unwritten rule for MVP candidates and it makes sense.
Regardless, there’s zero doubt the Seahawks will be in position for another title if Darnold has an MVP-type season. We’ll just have to wait and see if it happens or not.