(Video) Mike Macdonald’s Stern Message for Critics Who Doubted Sam Darnold Following NFC Championship Win

Mike Macdonald praised his Seahawks team for beating the Rams but gave extra credit to quarterback Sam Darnold, because without him, the Seahawks wouldn't have qualified for the Super Bowl.

(Video) Mike Macdonald’s Stern Message for Critics Who Doubted Sam Darnold Following NFC Championship Win

Sam Darnold and Mike Macdonald (Image via IMAGO)

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A year ago, Sam Darnold picked himself off the ground more times than he could count. The Los Angeles Rams defense sacked him a staggering 9 times and landed several additional blows across the four quarters. Darnold buckled under relentless pressure, gifting the LA franchise a postseason win.

Minnesota decided to end its brief experiment and allowed Darnold to seek a new team. Seattle Seahawks picked him up as their replacement for Geno Smith. In his first year, the Seahawks qualified for the NFC Championship game.

Darnold came face-to-face once again with the same opponents that humiliated him in 2024. Clips from that game circulated throughout various social media platforms as a reminder that Darnold has choked in the past. Vegas took notice and tipped the odds in LA’s favor.

However, lightning didn’t strike twice. Darnold completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards and 3 touchdowns and fumbled the ball just once. The Seahawks won 31-27. Speaking with the media after the game, Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald dropped the highest praise for his QB1.

I mean, he just shut a lot of people up tonight. So I’m really happy for him.

Mike Macdonald said

Darnold went toe-to-toe with MVP front-runner Matthew Stafford and emerged victorious. He helped wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba record his tenth 100+ receiving yards game (including the regular season). He threw a momentum-swinging touchdown with 20 seconds left in the first half, flipping the game in Seattle’s favor.

It’s a team win. And then, you can’t talk about the game without talking about our quarterback.

Macdonald quipped

Darnold’s performance was boosted by Seattle’s defense, Macdonald’s specialty. Devon Witherspoon made back-to-back pass-breaking plays that stopped the Rams from moving the score late in the tie. Special teams played a crucial role as well. They forced two muffed punts from Xavier Smith and a fumble recovery. It resulted in a touchdown pass from Darnold to tight end Jake Bobo. It was a team performance.

Sam Darnold outshines his peers

For the longest time, Darnold was considered an afterthought; some even called him a draft bust. There was some truth to the claims. He was chased out of the New York Jets after just 13 wins in three years and then bounced around several rosters.

(Video) Mike Macdonald Has a Stern Message for Critics Who Doubted Sam Darnold Following NFC Championship Win
Sam Darnold (Image via IMAGO)

His first stop was Carolina, where he won 8 games before losing the job to Baker Mayfield. The 49ers took him in as Brock Purdy‘s backup during the 2023 season. After making only one appearance all season, Darnold hit free agency before the Vikings snapped him up.

Minnesota finished 14-3 with the 28-year-old as the starting quarterback. The Vikings could have extended his stay, but they decided to go with JJ McCarthy instead. This allowed the Seahawks to make their move.

Darnold threw for 4048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions in 17 games. The Seahawks bagged the top seed in the NFC and, along with it, a bye in the postseason. In the divisional playoff game, they took care of the 49ers 41-6. Darnold threw 12 completions for 124 yards and one touchdown while carrying an oblique injury.

The Rams put up a better fight but eventually met the same fate as their divisional rivals. The win not only secured Darnold’s first Super Bowl appearance but also made him the first quarterback from the 2018 draft class to achieve this feat.

Technically, it will be his second appearance in a Super Bowl. He was part of the 49ers team that lost to the Chiefs during the 2023 season, a fact he was quick to remind reporters of.

The Seahawks are set to face off against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium, a venue very familiar to Darnold. New England qualified for this stage after beating the Broncos in the AFC title game.

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