Feb 10, 2026
3 min read
Sam Darnold won't be in the Super Bowl, but he still wants his ring.
Super Bowl 2026: Seahawks' Sam Darnold has emotional moment after breaking bust tag - 'My dad and I don't cry often'
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Sam Darnold, the Super Bowl champion quarterback.
Some of the other chapters yet to be written in Darnold's career -- mind you, he's only 28 -- what happened in Super Bowl LX will be the biggest part of it.Not to mention busts with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.Not even in a year where he was very good with the Minnesota Vikings, but that was wasted on two bad games to end an otherwise fantastic season.
We remember quarterbacks who won Super BowlsDarnold is in the club today after the Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots 29-13.
Darnold said after Sunday's win, he had an emotional moment with his parents and his fiancee.
"I think it got me thinking a little bit," Darnold said."My dad and I don't cry often."
Darnold's legend repeats itself, especially with his teammates.
"Amazing story. I don't know if there's a quarterback in the history of the NFL that's done what he's done." Seahawks receiver Cooper Kupp said, "To go through what he's had to go through for five years. To believe in himself, to overcome everybody who said he's not that guy anymore, to say he can't be a starter or a productive quarterback, to get back to work and commit to his process andthen go out for a year and again.
"The story is unbelievable."
Darnold really did not do his best on Sunday against the Patriots.He was only 19 out of 38 for 202 yards.But he has played well most of the season, including 346 yards, three touchdowns in the NFC Championship that helped Seattle reach the Super Bowl.
After long odds, Darnold faced becoming a regular starter again, his fifth Super Bowl championship team in eight seasons, wearing a white Super Bowl Champions hat and a black Super Bowl Champions t-shirt after he wore it.
"The reason I'm here is because of my journey," Darnold said."Because of the ups and downs, especially the downs I went through early in my career. I learned a lot about myself, about football.
“It’s funny how it works.”
Sam Darnold still believes
Things were looking bleak for Darnold's career.Typically, quarterbacks who fail in their first two stops and then enter the backup phase of their careers don't bounce back to find success.But Darnold said after the game, he let his parents know how important they were to his comeback story.
“I'm here because of their belief in me,” Darnold said."They believed in me throughout my career and that's why I was able to believe in myself. Some people call me crazy because I believe in myself and I'm very confident, but that's thanks to my family."
Sunday wasn't Darnold's best moment. He admitted it.The Seahawks and Patriots didn't score until the fourth quarter, but their 16-yard touchdown from A.J. Barner gave the Seahawks a 19-0 lead.
Darnold struggled to generate much offense, but he didn't turn it up even in a game where his defense was stuttering.
"Offensively, I feel like we didn't play as well as we could have played," Darnold said."I really didn't play as well as I could have played."
"I don't have my best stuff, but our team supports me."
Darnold joins the roster.
The list of quarterbacks who started and won a Super Bowl is very short and serious football fans remember every name.There have been some great quarterbacks over the years that have been forgotten, but names like Trent Dilfer, Jeff Hostetler, Nick Foles, Doug Williams and Brad Johnson will always be associated with their Super Bowl winning teams.
From now on, that person will be Darnold, and he has plenty of time to add to his legacy.And a great Seattle team to join.The Seahawks went 14-3 in the regular season by nine points.They finished the season by beating the Patriots.This win was due to Seattle's defense, but don't discount what Darnold has been telling the Seahawks all season because they haven't had a great Super Bowl.
"Respect! He's the best!" Seahawks receiver Jackson Smith-Njigba said, interrupting Darnold's locker room interview."We couldn't be here without this guy."
Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba jumps into Sam Darnold interview: Put some respect on his name!We wouldn't be here without him pic.twitter.com/yOXtFxLr3b
— Jada Epstein (@jadaepstein) February 9, 2026.
Many of Darnold's teammates spoke during the week and after Super Bowl LX about how easy it was to root for him and understand the struggles he endured.
"Everybody in this locker room believes in me," Darnold said.
Darnold has many critics who will not be swayed by the reputation he received early in his career after going undrafted in the third round by the Jets.Coming into this season, they mentioned that he was supported by a great defense, and in the Super Bowl he didn't make the kind of plays that we usually equate with a winning quarterback.
And who cares?Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson have yet to be in a Super Bowl.Neither did Justin Herbert and Dak Prescott.Joe Burrow won none.Greatest quarterbacks like Brett Favre, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers have won just one Super Bowl.Dan Marino, Jim Kelly and Dan Fouts are among the greatest quarterbacks to win one.
Darnold has one.That's all a legacy needs.
"I don't think it's hit me yet," Darnold said."But it's special."
