Sam Darnold plans to sign a three-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks that
includes $55m guaranteed, with the total value of the deal worth more than $110m.
Darnold was the No 3 overall pick in the 2018 draft by the New York Jets, before going on to spend two years with the Carolina Panthers.
In 2023, the 27-year-old then spent a single campaign with the San Francisco 49ers as a back-up before joining the Vikings where he had a 21-35 career record, 12,064 passing yards, 63 touchdowns, 56 interceptions and a 59.7 completion percentage.
Darnold had his best season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, leading them to 14 wins but was outmatched during an important Week 18 game against the Detroit Lions and then similarly lost in a wild-card defeat to the Los Angeles Rams, leaving question marks around his future in Minnesota.
He replaces Geno Smith, who was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders last week, at the Seahawks.
Darnold agreed to terms with the Seahawks, reuniting with Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, his passing game coordinator for the Niners in 2023.
He comes to an offensive roster under head coach Mike Macdonald that is still in the works.
The Seahawks released wide receiver Tyler Lockett and received a trade request from wideout DK Metcalf ahead of free agency.
