Despite a Super Bowl win, Sam Darnold's redemption arc and MVP odds reveal a lingering national doubt that Seahawks fans will refuse to accept.
When the Seattle Seahawks capped off an incredible season with a commanding Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots, quarterback Sam Darnold stood proudly among his teammates with a Lombardi Trophy in hand.
From discarded draft pick to champion, he has one of the NFL’s most remarkable redemption arcs. Yet even with that ultimate success, the national narrative hasn’t fully caught up to what Darnold has accomplished.
Early 2026 MVP odds lists released by oddsmakers show his name far down the board, well behind perennial stars and flashier narratives. Oddsmakers have largely pegged marquee quarterbacks like Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes as favorites in the coming MVP cycle, leaving Darnold’s odds comparatively modest at +2800 despite his proven impact.
Darnold’s path back to prominence was far from typical. Once labeled a bust after an unsteady stint with the New York Jets, and later bouncing between backup roles with the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers, few predicted he would end up as a franchise quarterback again.
A strong season with the Minnesota Vikings last year hinted at a resurgence, but when Seattle signed him in free agency, questions lingered about whether he could do it again.
He answered those questions emphatically on the field. Anchoring a balanced Seahawks offense and steadying a defense that became one of the league’s most feared units, Darnold helped Seattle dominate en route to the NFC’s No. 1 seed and a convincing Super Bowl win. At the team’s celebration in Seattle this week, he expressed genuine gratitude to the organization, coaches, teammates and fans who believed in him from the start.
But outside of Seattle — and even through various national media platforms — Darnold’s MVP recognition hasn’t matched his accomplishments.
For Seahawks fans, the disconnect feels like simple disrespect. Seattle supporters know that MVP-caliber play isn’t always captured by headline statistics — it’s about leadership, consistency and elevating a team when it matters most. Darnold’s story has become exactly that, and whether or not the national conversation catches up, his contributions to Seattle’s championship run are undeniable and will be remembered for years to come.