It does seem like a fiction talking about Darnold not being the Seahawks quarterback after 2026, but is there a world where there's a different quarterback at the helm in 2027?
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is fresh off leading the franchise to a memorable Super Bowl win, ending any and all narratives that had stuck to him throughout his career.
Darnold was sublime in the regular season, winning 14 games for the second straight year, and was just about flawless in the playoffs.
Now a Super Bowl champion, Darnold is entering the second year of his three-year, $100.5 million contract, and it is here where things get a little interesting.
Seattle has an out if it wants it after 2026, with Darnold set to make $35.5 million in base salary in 2027 (a post June 1 trade saves $38 million). Why is that interesting? Because if the Seahawks don't want to swallow that, that might not have to.
For PTF's Mike Florio, he was asked if the Seahawks could look to go in a different quarterback direction if Darnold fails this upcoming year, with Baker Mayfield the name some think could be intriguing to Seattle.
"One thing that doesn't get discussed is he's due to make 27.5 (million) this year I believe, maybe some incentives on the backend, kind of time to take care of the guy that won you a Super Bowl don't you think? But under his current contract, they can pull the plug after 2026 if they want to and Mayfield slated to be a free agent," Florio said.
"So, if Mayfield is great this year and Darnold regresses, new offensive coordinator, who knows what's going to happen?"
Now, moving on from the guy who won you a Super Bowl the year before would be a brutal business decision. But is it worth the question?
Would the Seahawks really move on from Darnold in favor of Mayfield? I struggle to see it right now. Even if Darnold does have a down year, I still think he's earned the benefit of the doubt to go around again to prove his worth (although to me, he's already proved it).
So, it could be an interesting storyline to watch, but I'd have a hard time believing that Mayfield is an upgrade from Darnold, at least right now.
Plus, if Mayfield doesn't get an extension from Tampa Bay and does play well, he would command serious money, nearly $50 million APY, I'd imagine.
Would Seattle want to pay that? I'm not sure.
The NFL is a never say never league, but it is hard to imagine Seattle swapping Darnold for Mayfield in 2027.
