With the 2026 NFL season on the horizon, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has quite the reputation that he is carrying into the year.
However, Darnold enters the conversation of top quarterbacks in the NFL, including several former MVPs and prolific performers, that make his standing among the best players at the position one that has increased, but may have more room to increase with another stellar season in 2026.
The Athletic’s Mike Sando ranked Darnold No. 14 overall in his annual QB rankings this year.
Darnold led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory last season. He recorded 4,000 passing yards. Darnold displayed one of the most powerful arms in the NFL all year long. He was reliable down the stretch. Other quarterbacks were able to rack up more yards on the ground, but Darnold played winning football in a variety of ways that made him one of the best players at the position.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: The Athletic has Seahawks QB Sam Darnold too low on their 2026 ranking