Seahawks have a $37.5 million escape hatch in Sam Darnold’s contract

Seahawks have a $37.5 million escape hatch in Sam Darnold’s contract

The Seahawks gave themselves an escape patch in Sam Darnold’s contract.

Darnold, after a renaissance season with the Vikings, signed a three-year deal worth $100.5 million with the Seahawks in free agency.

But the Seahawks can get out after just one year with the way the contract is structured.

In 2025-26, Darnold will make $37.5 million, which is fully guaranteed, according to Pro Football Talk.

Darnold is owed $27.5 million in 2026-27 with a $17.5 million injury guarantee that becomes fully guaranteed the week after Super Bowl 2026, according to the report.

That means that if they want to, the Seahawks can cut Darnold before his second-year salary becomes guaranteed with no ᴅᴇᴀᴅ money, as long as Darnold is healthy and can pᴀss a physical.

Sam Darnold speaks at his introductory press conference on March 13, 2025.
Sam Darnold speaks at his introductory press conference on March 13, 2025. AP

In essence, it can be a one-year, $37.5 million deal if Darnold struggles and the Seahawks want to move on.

If they don’t move on, Darnold would be owed $35.5 million in 2027-28, which is not guaranteed.

The contract also reportedly includes $2 million per year in incentives for individual performance, $2.5 million per year for playoff performance and $500,000 per year for team performance.

Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold enjoyed a career renaissance last year with the Vikings. AP

Darnold, 27, broke out last year in Minnesota, throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while leading the Vikings to a 14-3 regular season record.

He struggled down the stretch, though, including in the Vikings’ wild-card round loss to the Rams.

On Thursday, Darnold was officially introduced as a Seahawk.

“I think we have an opportunity to do something very, very special here, but it’s going to take a lot of hard work — and we know that going in,” Darnold said at his introductory press conference. “Very excited to take this one day at a time, and that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to put my head down and go to work.”

Related Posts

BREAKING NEWSJohn Elway’s agent and business partner’s cause of death revealed after horrific golf cart tragedy

BREAKING NEWSJohn Elway’s agent and business partner’s cause of death revealed after horrific golf cart tragedy

John Elway’s agent and business partner Jeff Sperbeck died as a result of blunt head trauma after their horrific golf cart accident, a coroner has ruled. Sperbeck,…

Robert Saleh grateful for ‘therapy’ after getting fired by the Jets last season

Robert Saleh grateful for ‘therapy’ after getting fired by the Jets last season

San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh opened up on the impact that his firing last season had on him. Last season, expectations were high for Saleh…

Shock ‘heavy favorite’ emerges to broadcast its first NFL game in Week 1 next season

Shock ‘heavy favorite’ emerges to broadcast its first NFL game in Week 1 next season

A shock ‘heavy favorite’ of YouTube has emerged to broadcast its first NFL game next season in Week 1’s South American showpiece from Brazil.  The video-sharing website…

NFL fans laugh at Kenny Pickett’s tiny hands as he begins workouts with Cleveland Browns

NFL fans laugh at Kenny Pickett’s tiny hands as he begins workouts with Cleveland Browns

NFL fans are having a field day on social media, laughing at Kenny Pickett’s tiny hands as he begins offseason workouts for the Cleveland Browns with a…

EXCLUSIVENFL rival Josh Allen’s savage swipe at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship

EXCLUSIVENFL rival Josh Allen’s savage swipe at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship

Travis Kelce once said that he used to dream of being like Josh Allen. But the feeling isn’t mutual, the Daily Mail can reveal. Fierce rivals with…

Tom Brady’s feelings on Gisele Bundchen potentially marrying Joaquim Valente are revealed

Tom Brady’s feelings on Gisele Bundchen potentially marrying Joaquim Valente are revealed

Tom Brady could be invited to a wedding party if ex-wife Gisele Bundchen remarries Joaquim Valente in the future, it has been claimed. NFL legend Brady and…