Seahawks Land Sam Darnold with Three-Year Deal

What They're Saying

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero: "Geno Smith turned down a similar deal in Seattle."

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

This has been the widely expected move since the Seahawks traded QB Geno Smith to the Raiders last week. And that quote from Pelissero helps the move make sense.

Moving from Smith to Darnold doesn't look like an upgrade, and that report from Pelissero indicates the team agrees.

Darnold's younger (28 this June; Smith's 34) but has just one good season among his seven in the pros.

That season came just last year, of course, and might signal a career turnaround.

It should help that new Seattle OC Klint Kubiak worked with Darnold in San Francisco, where he served as passing-game coordinator in 2023 and Darnold the backup QB.

More important for Darnold's immediate fantasy outlook, though: Seattle's suddenly short on receiving talent.

The team released Tyler Lockett after his 2024 decline. Then it traded DK Metcalf rather than pay the 27-year-old.

That leaves Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the clear lead target, coming off a 100-catch breakout. The next three most active returning pass catchers:

• TE Noah Fant (48 receptions)
• RB Kenneth Walker III (46)
• RB Zach Charbonnet (42)

No one else caught more than 30 passes.

Seattle needs to add more pass-catching talent to make Darnold an even mildly attractive fantasy option.

Dynasty Impact

Darnold looks fine as a mid-level QB2 for dynasty.

He has age on his side, and Seattle can quickly add receiving talent. Darnold also adds a little rushing, with three seasons of at least 17.7 yards per game.

Just keep in mind that we're still talking about one good starting season to date -- in real or fantasy terms. And that season came with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison as his top targets.

It's quite possible 2024 remains the best year of Darnold's career.