Mike Vrabel was honored by the AP as the NFL Coach of the Year after turning around the New England Patriots

The 2025 season has been a turning point for a quarterback who once faced an uncertain future in the NFL. After years of limited opportunities and instability, everything finally came together in Seattle for Sam Darnold. Before his breakout season with the Seattle Seahawks, Darnold's time with the San Francisco 49ers was brief and largely unfulfilling. Signed in 2023 as the primary backup behind Brock Purdy, Darnold’s role with the team lacked clarity. He appeared in 10 games that season, making one start in Week 18. Despite completing 28 of 46 passes for 297 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, Darnold’s performance was overshadowed by the team’s Super Bowl run—where, despite being part of the roster, he never saw the field in the championship game. “The experience was successful for the team, but personally, my career direction was unresolved,” Darnold admits. "I was part of something great, but it didn’t feel like my own.” That all changed when Seattle took a chance on him, signing Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million contract and naming him their starting quarterback for the 2025 season. The results were nothing short of dramatic. Darnold led Seattle to a 14-3 regular-season record and secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC. He threw for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, while completing 67.7% of his passes. His quarterback rating skyrocketed to 99.1—the highest of his career. In the postseason, Darnold’s transformation was undeniable. He guided the Seahawks to victories over both the Rams and his former team, the 49ers, throwing for 470 yards and four touchdowns in his first two playoff games alone. Reflecting on his time in San Francisco, Darnold was blunt:“In San Francisco, the 49ers never figured out how to use me. I was benched, overlooked, and blamed. But the Seahawks believed in me from day one and gave me the chance to prove every snap why I belonged. That’s the difference between a team stuck in excuses and a team that builds champions.” Darnold’s journey is more than just a tale of frustration—it’s a testament to how belief, trust, and the right opportunity can reshape a player's career. With Seattle now one win away from a Lombardi Trophy, Darnold’s redemption story stands as one of the most compelling narratives in the NFL. Sometimes, the right team makes all the difference.