Darnold's Super Bowl victory highlights a fortunate escape for the Bears from a division rival's resurgence. Chicago dodged a bullet.
The Chicago Bears have to be feeling pretty lucky that they no longer have to face Sam Darnold twice a year.
After one season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, Darnold wasn't re-signed and joined the Seattle Seahawks. He proved the doubters wrong and led the Seahawks to Super Bowl 60.
The Seahawks beat the New England Patriots on Sunday night to lift the Lombardi Trophy for the second time in franchise history. Darnold put up 202 passing yards and one touchdown in the win.
A former Bears player competed in the game.
The Seahawks elevated return specialist Velus Jones Jr. from the practice just hours before the game. Jones was with Chicago from 2022-24 and had a history of fumbles during kickoff returns.
While Jones being brought up from the practice squad may have rehashed some anger from Chicago fans, the Bears have to feel good knowing Darnold isn't in the NFC North anymore.
The quarterback put up some impressive numbers against the Bears in 2024.
In the first meeting, the Bears and Vikings went to overtime, with Minnesota winning 30-27. The second game with the Vikings wasn't as close for the Bears. Chicago lost 30-12 at home in Week 15 of the 2024 season.
Darnold threw for a combined 561 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception versus the Bears that season. He finished with a career high of 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdowns with 12 interceptions in 2024.
Now, the quarterback is the NFC West's problem. The San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals are going to have to deal with Darnold for the foreseeable future.
We saw just how dangerous Darnold could be in the playoffs. After the Bears were only able to put up 17 points on the Rams in the Divisional Round, Darnold threw for 346 passing yards and three touchdowns in the NFC Championship.
The Bears should really thank former Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah for sticking with J.J. McCarthy. The move may have cost him his job, but it took a very formidable quarterback out of the division for one who finished with 1,632 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Now, the Bears look ahead to the 2026 season.
The odds for Super Bowl 61 have already been released, with the Bears coming in at +2500.
While the odds aren't in favor of the Bears, Chicago can sleep well knowing it doesn't have to see Darnold twice in the same season anymore.