NFL exec shares strong statement on Seahawks' Sam Darnold: 'This is who he is now'
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold looks to throw a pass during the first quarter against the Houston Texans. Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has his team sitting at 5-2 with the bye week underway.
It's similar to what the Minnesota Vikings saw last season with Darnold under center. Some skeptics were thinking Darnold may not have his success translate outside of Minnesota, but he is proving his doubters wrong in Seattle.
“He’s turned the corner,” a high-ranking official that played against the Seahawks earlier in the season said via Washington Post reporter Jason La Canfora. “This is who he is now. It’s not a function of a system or anything like that. He’s a top-10 quarterback.”
Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
Darnold proving himself for Seahawks
Darnold is proving that the first two stops in his career with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers was a fluke. The former No. 3 overall pick struggled early in his career, but now he is proving that he can be a winner in multiple spots, which debunks the myth built in the first few seasons he endured in the NFL.
Other players that fit this bill are Daniel Jones of the Indianapolis Colts and Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, both of whom were high draft picks that couldn't make things work in their first stop, but are thriving in a system that is better suited for their strengths.
“They are capable of carrying their team. It’s not a fluke. They are two bad [dudes], and you can see how their teammates are reacting to them. It’s real, man. They aren’t getting enough attention," a former general manager said via La Canfora of Darnold and Jones.
Darnold still has a long way to go before he becomes a true consistent threat in the NFL, but his start with the Seahawks suggests that he can lead them to an NFC West title and a deep run in the playoffs if everything comes together.
In the meantime, the Seahawks return to action on Nov. 2 when they take on the Washington Commanders on Sunday Night Football. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:20 p.m. PT inside Northwest Stadium.
Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
This article first appeared on Seattle Seahawks on SI and was syndicated with permission.
Stunning Titans coaching candidate could emerge from the shadows as a frontrunner
The Tennessee Titans remain in the preliminary stages of their head coaching search. The Nashville-based club decided to dismiss Brian Callahan after he amassed a pathetic 4-19 record in 23 outings. Mike McCoy was appointed as the interim leader and will remain in that role for the duration of the 2025 campaign.
General manager Mike Borgonzi and president Chad Brinker will oversee the search once the offseason arrives. Thus far, a number of rumored candidates have been floated by mainstream and local media. Mike McCarthy, Arthur Smith, Matt Nagy, Mike Kafka, and Robert Saleh could be among the shortlisted names.
The Athletic's Dianna Russini recently floated an unexpected name. Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is allegedly considering a move to the NFL. Russini reported that Sarkisian would be interested in professional openings, going as far to mention the Titans by name.
Report: Texas Longhorns HC Steve Sarkisian could be interested in Titans' head coaching vacancy
Sarkisian has been in charge of Texas since 2021. With vast financial resources at his disposal, Sarkisian has returned the program to national prominence. After winning five and eight games respectively in his first two campaigns, the Longhorns have won double-digit games in consecutive seasons.
Sarkisian's Longhorns have failed to win a National Championship, however, falling short of the ultimate goal. This season, the No. 20 ranked program are 6-2 while turning in an underwhelming campaign thus far. The playoffs look like a long shot, with defeats to Florida and Ohio State, and uninspiring wins over Mississippi State and Kentucky.
Sarkisian possesses a brilliant offensive mind. Despite Arch Manning's shortcomings this year, some may believe he's an ideal candidate to help develop Titans quarterback Cam Ward. Sarkisian's NFL experience is limited to coordinator and position coach duties though, and his appointment would represent a massive risk for a Titans franchise fresh off a disastrous head coaching hire and firing.
Sarkisian may be interested in the Titans, but the feeling shouldn't be mutual.
