Tremendous Bowl 2026: Is Seattle Seahawks' Sam Darnold biggest NFL redemption story?

[ad_1] Quarterbacks seize all of the headlines, for good or unhealthy, however they merely can't do all of it by themselves on this final workforce sport.

Tom Brady repeatedly had, and wanted, a top-10 defence on his facet to win Tremendous Bowls, whereas Patrick Mahomes misplaced two of them as a result of he was soundly overwhelmed up by opposing defences.

In Seattle, Darnold discovered the proper storm of a workforce on the up and a defensive head coach assembling a crack unit that may go on to dominate the NFL, needing only a stable quarterback to steer the offence.

Having the league's main receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tremendous Bowl MVP operating again Kenneth Walker additionally helped, and lots will say Darnold didn't should do a lot.

He grew to become the primary quarterback to get pleasure from successive 14-win seasons with two completely different groups - solely Brady had managed it with one - however nonetheless there have been questions as he led the league in turnovers, giving the ball away 20 instances.

Round 80% of play-off video games are gained by groups with the fewest turnovers. In Tremendous Bowls the file was 40-7 when profitable the turnover battle.

Darnold has the fourth most giveaways within the NFL since being drafted (106) regardless of spending two years as a back-up, so as soon as once more he needed to show himself as he was written off as a legal responsibility earlier than even getting into the post-season.

The response was outstanding as Darnold's Seattle grew to become the primary Tremendous Bowl champions and not using a single turnover within the play-offs.

He answered the psychological questions of going through the Rams once more with 346 yards and three touchdowns, earlier than doing simply sufficient within the Tremendous Bowl itself.

Was it flashy? No. MVP worthy? Not even shut. However Darnold, now 28, did what he needed to - he stored maintain of the ball, made performs when wanted and managed the sport with out ego or making an attempt to be the hero.

No quarterback has gained a Tremendous Bowl having performed for 5 groups earlier than, however then no quarterback has been counted out so many instances and bought again to the highest.

Luck has performed a component, groups like Minnesota and Seattle took an opportunity and the Seahawks have furnished Darnold with every part he may presumably need in a workforce - and possibly there is a hatful of quarterbacks within the league who may have gained a Tremendous Bowl with them this season.