NFL Star Criticizes Seahawks’ QB Sam Darnold with Brutal Insult

Six years ago, in October of 2019, the New England Patriots beat the New York Jets 33-0 on Monday Night Football. The regular-season matchup was insignificant in the grand scheme of that season, and yet it became one of the most memorable and frequently referenced games in recent years.

Sam Darnold, in his second season as the Jets quarterback, went 11-32 for 86 passing yards that night. He threw four interceptions and no touchdowns and lost a fumble. It was the lowest point of his NFL career, and not just because of his poor performance.

During the broadcast, ESPN aired a mic’d-up clip in which Darnold, down 24-0, muttered, “I’m seeing ghosts.” The phrase has haunted him ever since.

Division Rival Takes Shot at Darnold

Yesterday, Puka Nacua unearthed the “seeing ghosts” insult during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. The superstar receiver was discussing the Los Angeles Rams’ 21-19 victory in Week 11 over the Seattle Seahawks, now helmed by Darnold.

“[Davante] was asking me, knowing we had a big divisional game coming up this week, he was just like, ‘Man, it just feels like this is an emotional game for everybody,'” Nacua said. Laughing, he added, “And I’m like, ‘Hey, Tae, as long as we do our stuff on our side of the ball, they may be seeing ghosts out there on Sunday.'”

McAfee, recognizing the low blow, exclaimed, “Jeeze!” The conversation quickly moved away from Darnold, as Nacua began complimenting various members of the Rams’ defense.

Darnold’s History of “Seeing Ghosts”

Any time Darnold plays poorly, you’re bound to come across “seeing ghosts” comments online. The phrase flooded Twitter during last year’s playoffs when Darnold melted down in a Wild Card matchup as a member of the Minnesota Vikings. It’s perhaps no coincidence that the team he played that day was also the Los Angeles Rams.

The Rams drummed the Vikings 27-9. Darnold’s stat line wasn’t as awful as the seeing-ghosts game in 2019. He threw for 245 yards with one touchdown and one interception, but his biggest issue was handling pressure from the Rams’ defensive line. Darnold took nine sacks in the game, tying an NFL postseason record.

Despite Darnold’s outstanding 2024 season, that playoff loss signalled to fans, and apparently the Vikings’ front office, that he would perpetually “see ghosts” in big moments. The Vikings declined to re-sign Darnold, which led the Seahawks to take a chance on the former No. 3 overall pick.

Seattle’s Week 11 Loss to the Rams

Darnold had a chance to exorcise some ghosts on Sunday when the Seattle Seahawks traveled to Los Angeles for a much-anticipated divisional matchup, with first place in the NFC West on the line. Part of the reason Nacua’s jab feels so pointed is that Darnold, like in 2019 against the Patriots, threw four interceptions in an abysmal performance.

Seahawks’ players and coaches were quick to defend Darnold after the game. Linebacker Ernest Jones IV was Darnold’s most fervent spokesman.

“Sam’s been balling,” Jones told reporters after the game. “If we want to try to define Sam by this game… Sam’s had us in every f—ing game. So for him to sit there and say, ‘Oh, that’s my fault, my fault,’ no it’s not. There’s plays we could have made, opportunities where we could have got better stops. It’s football, man. He’s our quarterback. We got his back. If you have anything to say, quite frankly, f— you.”

No Seahawk has commented on Nacua’s appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, but it surely adds fuel to the divisional fire. Luckily for fans, the two teams play at least once more this season. The Rams (8-2) head to Seattle (7-3) in Week 16. In a game that will likely decide the NFC West, Darnold will have another opportunity to put that 2019 quote in the grave.

After 19–17 Win, Caleb Williams Stuns Everyone by Comforting a Devastated J.J. McCarthy on the Sideline

Chicago, Illinois. In a tense, low-scoring NFC North showdown that ended 19-17 in favor of the Chicago Bears on November 16, the most memorable moment didn’t happen on the field. It happened on the visiting team’s sideline after the clock hit zero.

J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings’ second-year quarterback, sat motionless on the bench, elbows on his knees, staring blankly at the Soldier Field turf. He had just endured one of the roughest nights of his young career: 16-of-32 for 150 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 crushing interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and a passer rating of just 47.7. Minnesota had held a late lead in the fourth quarter, but McCarthy’s mistakes opened the door for Chicago’s comeback in the final minutes.

As his teammates filed toward the tunnel, McCarthy stayed behind alone, helmet resting beside him, head bowed under the weight of disappointment.

Then Caleb Williams walked over.

The Bears’ quarterback, fresh off leading his team to a division-clinching victory, quietly left the celebration at midfield. He crossed the field, approached the Vikings’ bench, and gently placed a hand on McCarthy’s shoulder.

J.J. looked up, eyes red.

Caleb pulled him into a short, genuine embrace.

A nearby staff member clearly heard Williams whisper: “You’re a hell of a player, man. This one night doesn’t define you. Keep going. You’re gonna be special.”

McCarthy could only nod, speechless, but he gave Williams a firm pat on the back before letting go.

Later, in the Vikings’ locker room, an emotional McCarthy spoke to reporters about the gesture: “He didn’t have to do that… but he did. I’ll never forget it. Caleb’s a fierce competitor, but tonight he showed me he’s an even better person.”

On the other side, when asked about the moment, Caleb kept it simple: “J.J.’s a warrior. I know how bad that feels. I just wanted him to know people still believe in him.”

The 19-17 victory moved the Bears into first place in the NFC North, but the image of Caleb Williams crossing the field to hug a devastated J.J. McCarthy is what millions of NFL fans are talking about today.

Football isn’t always about the final score. Sometimes its most beautiful moments happen when one human being reaches out to another.

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