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Sam Darnold comes from his best year in the NFL by a mile, but still a Seattle Seahawks legend is convinced he can fill it in 2025.
Darnold, who threw in 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns for a 14-3 Minnesota Vikings team last season, has to prove once again with another team this season after participating in Seahawks in free agency.
Expectations are still high for Darnold, but Shaun Alexander, the legendary Seahawks, who run back, who won the League MVP in 2005, believes Darnold will check all the boxes this season.
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Former player Shaun Alexander from Seattle Seahawks speaks during his ring of honorary induction at Lumen Field at the break against Arizona Cardinals 16 October 2022 in Seattle. (Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
“I think he’s getting better this year than he was last year with us, and I think they got the right offensive coordinator for him,” Alexander told Pakinomist Digital after his work with USA’s “Salute to Service NFL Boot Camp” Monday. “I think the system looks right to him. They look good at practice.”
Darnold reunites with Klint Kubiak, which served as offensive coordinator for New Orleans Saints last season. They were together in 2023 with San Francisco 49ers, where Kubiak served as passport coordinator, and Darnold backed up in Brock Purdy after a failed period with Carolina Panthers.
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It is a new look overrun in all aspects of Seahawks, including by a broad recipient with DK Metcalf sent to Pittsburgh Steelers in a trade out of season. Metcalf was a constant in the passport for Seattle, but with the advent of Jaxon Smith-Njigba last season they went on and brought Cooper Kupp, a step that Alexander doesn’t mind.
Combine the receiving weapons with the dynamic duo of Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet in the back field, and Alexander went brave with his prediction for Seahawks.
Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Sam Darnold signs autographs to fans during training camp on July 25, 2025, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
“I’m still thinking it’s SEAHAWKS 17-0,” said Alexander and Lo.
Realistically, Alexander believes this is a playoff team. They missed it 10-7 last year, but Alexander makes them enter this time.
“I think they’ll be 11-6,” he said. “I think they will beat the right teams and shock someone. I know it will be very hard to beat them at home. So you make these things equated they will be a good team.
“Both Kenneth and Charbonnet Healthy, it’s a good duo. I like how they use Sam in the offense. They come with their scheme that does what he does best. Defense, I think their secondary is wonderful. When you got all that beginner guys to play on d-line-it will be hard to beat them.”
Darnold and Seahawks will have a tough NFC West -Matchup against his former team, 49s, September 7 at home to start the 2025 campaign in front of the “12s” for the first time.
Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Sam Darnold throws during training camp July 26, 2025 in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Appreciate those who serve us
While Alexander loved talking shop, he also loved to meet with men and women in the military through the usa Salute to Service NFL Boot Camp, competing in exercises similar to those that the Seahawk’s Ring of Honor member did.
Alexander admired competitiveness during the 40-yard line, wide jumps and more exercises at NFL Combine and called the day “Special.”
He also has a special understanding of the military considering his own family ties. His second best brother was a 22-year-old military veteran.
Seattle Seahawks -legend Shaun Alexander speaks to military service members on “Salute to Service NFL boot camp.” (USAA)
“I was just thinking of him as a hero. As if I have an older brother who is a hero. He protects the country,” Alexander said of his brother.
“You can’t regret what you were part of. It’s like, ‘man, I know what you all are doing and I know you are sanded and sometimes you want to stop and not do it. But you’re a hero for someone.’ So it’s like a little 10-year-old child who is, ‘man, I want to give everything I got to go to be great.’ And thanks for doing that.
