Sam Darnold Fires Back: ‘No Vengeance Needed — I’m Focused on Executing and Getting the Job Done!’
As the Seattle Seahawks prepare for their Week 11 showdown against the Los Angeles Rams, quarterback Sam Darnold is setting the stage for a defining performance. After enduring a brutal nine-sack playoff loss to the Rams the previous season, many have wondered how Darnold would approach a potential rematch. But in a recent interview, Darnold made it clear:
This statement underscores a shift in Darnold's mentality. Instead of focusing on past failures or seeking revenge against the team that caused him so much pain, Darnold is laser-focused on doing his job and executing at the highest level. This new approach reflects his growth as a player and his commitment to being the leader the Seahawks need in their playoff push.
A New Mentality for a New Challenge
For Darnold, the past is just that — the past. Last season's playoff loss to the Rams was a tough pill to swallow, especially after he was repeatedly sacked and the offense was unable to find any rhythm. But instead of letting that game define him, Darnold is taking the opportunity to prove that he's learned from that experience. His focus now is on execution — making the right plays, protecting the ball, and leading his team to victory.
“The Rams have a great defense, but we’ve got a great offense,” Darnold continued. “I’m not concerned with last season. I’m concerned with what I can do now, in the present, to help this team win. My job is to execute, and that’s exactly what I plan to do.”
Darnold’s confidence is contagious. As the Seahawks’ offense works to find its rhythm and build momentum, Darnold is focused on setting the tone and leading by example. His refusal to get bogged down by the past shows maturity, and his ability to stay calm under pressure will be key as the Seahawks face a tough Rams defense.
Focus on Execution, Not Vengeance
Darnold’s shift in mindset is a critical one. In an NFL where mental toughness and focus often make the difference between success and failure, Darnold’s emphasis on execution over revenge demonstrates that he’s ready to take the next step in his career. Instead of allowing the mistakes of the past to weigh him down, Darnold is channeling that energy into his performance on the field.
“The past is behind me,” Darnold said. “I can’t change what happened last season, but I can control what happens next. I know what I’m capable of, and I’m focused on executing every play the right way. That’s the mindset I’m bringing into this game.”
The Road Ahead
As the Seahawks continue their push for the playoffs, Darnold’s leadership and execution will be crucial. With a high-powered Rams offense led by Matthew Stafford and talented receivers like Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, the Seahawks will need to put together a complete performance. Darnold’s ability to keep the offense moving, stay composed, and execute in critical moments will be the key to success.
For Darnold, this game represents more than just a chance for redemption — it’s an opportunity to prove that he’s the quarterback the Seahawks can rely on in the biggest moments. His approach to this game, and to his career as a whole, shows that he’s not just a player who can overcome adversity; he’s a player who is ready to rise to the challenge and take control of his destiny.
Conclusion
Sam Darnold has made it clear that he’s not interested in seeking vengeance. His focus is squarely on execution and getting the job done. With a renewed mindset and the lessons of the past to guide him, Darnold is ready to lead the Seahawks to victory against the Rams. His commitment to the present, not the past, will determine his success in this high-stakes matchup. The question now is, will he deliver when it matters most?
Why Oregon's Dante Moore is Perfect QB Prospect for Saints in 2026 NFL Draft
Although the New Orleans Saints already have a pair of interesting young quarterbacks in the locker room who couldbecome long-term answers, neither Spencer Rattler nor Tyler Shough has truly proven he’s a bona fide franchise cornerstone. As such, when the Saints use their first-round pick — currently projected to land inside the top five of the 2026 NFL Draft — quarterback should absolutely be on the table.
And while this upcoming draft class features several high-end prospects, the player who fits New Orleans’ system the best, and is arguably the perfect match for what the franchise is trying to build, is Oregon’s Dante Moore.
The 6-foot-3 quarterback began his college career at UCLA before transferring to Oregon, where he has now spent two seasons. This year has finally been his chance to take full control of the offense, blossom within a more stable structure and establish himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country. The size is already ideal, and with a little more strength added to his frame, he projects as an NFL-durable passer. But what really makes Moore special is his accuracy, his poise, and the way he performs under pressure.
NFL teams often get enamored with prospects who can wow you with a huge arm, elite speed, or off-script highlight plays. But once a quarterback reaches the NFL, it becomes all about decision-making against the best athletes in the world, and that’s the one trait you can’t teach. Moore already has that natural calm, that big-game presence, and that ability to make the right throw in the biggest moments.
Drafting a franchise quarterback is about more than filling a hole. It’s about selecting a player, bringing him into your building and then building the roster around what he does best. Moore already checks the foundational boxes: size, accuracy, pocket presence, touch, mobility when necessary, natural feel and the production to back it up. Add in the fact that he was one of the most coveted recruits in the country coming out of high school, and it becomes even clearer why his pedigree matters — he’s been viewed as “that guy” for years.
He’s also stylistically different from the two quarterbacks New Orleans currently has. And if, by the end of this season, there isn’t overwhelming conviction that either Rattler or Shough is the clear franchise leader moving forward, Moore becomes the best, and cleanest, path to a reset at the most important position in the sport.
For a team looking for long-term stability and a player who fits exactly what the Saints want to be offensively, Dante Moore is the right pick at the right time.
