Seahawks can escape Sam Darnold's deal after one year, $37.5 million
In some respects, the posting of an item on PFT operates like a bat signal.
Stymied in our effort through usual channels to get a full breakdown of quarterback Sam Darnold's three-year, $100.5 million deal with Seattle, we posted a little while ago that the numbers aren’t available.
And, within 20 minutes, the numbers arrived.
Per a source with knowledge of the terms, here's the rough breakdown:
1. 2025 compensation: $37.5 million, fully guaranteed.
2. 2026 compensation: $27.5 million, $17.5 million of which is guaranteed for injury and becomes fully guaranteed in the week after Super Bowl LX.
3. 2027 compensation: $35.5 million, non-guaranteed.
The deal also includes $2 million per year for individual performance, $2.5 million per year for postseason performance, and $500,000 per year for team performance.
The structure allows the Seahawks to escape the contract after one year and $37.5 million. While it's generally frowned upon for teams to scrap contracts when the guarantee flips from injury-only to full in the early days of the waiver period, that's what the Raiders did with Derek Carr in 2023. (The good news for the player is that it gives him a head start on free agency, by more than a month.)
If the Seahawks pick up the second year of the Darnold contract at $27.5 million, it's a two-year, $65 million deal. That's an average of $32.5 million per year.
The upside of $5 million per year could push the total value of the contract from $33.5 million per year to $38.5 million per year. Unlocking those payments would entail the kind of player/team performance that would make the Seahawks more than happy to pay every penny.
Bottom line? If Darnold regresses in 2025, he could be released after only one season. And the Seahawks will be out only $37.5 million. With Geno Smith apparently looking for much more than $37.5 million per year on a new deal in Seattle, the strategic decision to pivot from Smith to Darnold makes sense — even if it ultimately puts the Seahawks back in the market for a quarterback a year from now.
Topics
-
Sam Darnold contract details: Seahawks can escape deal after one year
The Seahawks signed Sam Darnold to a three-year deal in free agency. Seattle will be able to get out of the deal if things don't work out.Yahoo Sports - 4h -
Seattle Seahawks and QB Sam Darnold agree to three-year, $100M deal, according to reports
The Seattle Seahawks and QB Sam Darnold have agreed to a three-year deal worth $100.5 million, according to multiple reports.NBC News - Mar. 10 -
Sam Darnold hopes to 'do something very, very special' as Seahawks' new QB
Once the Seattle Seahawks traded quarterback Geno Smith, Sam Darnold saw his opening. The Seahawks introduced Darnold on Thursday after he signed a three-year deal he agreed to earlier in the ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Sam Darnold's contract puts him at risk of late-season benching
The three-year, $100.5 million contract signed last week by new Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is, in reality, a one-year, $37.5 million deal with a team-held option for 2026 and 2027.Yahoo Sports - 6h -
Sources: Darnold to Seahawks on $100.5M deal
The Seahawks found their replacement for Geno Smith, agreeing to a 3-year, $100.5 million deal with QB Sam Darnold, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.ESPN - 6d -
Sam Darnold introduced as Seahawks new QB, GM Schneider speaks on off season moves
The Seattle Seahawks’ new starting quarterback Sam Darnold was introduced at the team’s headquarters at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton Thursday.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Seahawks trade Geno Smith to Raiders: Ranking Seattle's QB options after making surprising deal with Las Vegas
A look at what Seattle can do to fill its new void at the QB positionCBS Sports - Mar. 8 -
Sam Darnold signing with Seahawks: Former Vikings QB agrees to three-year, $100.5 million contract, per report
Darnold finds a new NFL home out westCBS Sports - Mar. 10 -
Seahawks introduce Sam Darnold as new QB: 'Best days are ahead of him,' Mike Macdonald says
Darnold had the best year of his career as the Vikings starter in 2024CBS Sports - 3d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Jaguars NFL draft: What did WR Tetairoa McMillan run at Arizona Pro Day?
Perhaps of interest to the Jacksonville Jaguars, what did Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan run at his pro day?Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Rory McIlroy’s matchplay mind games flummox J.J. Spaun to win Players play-off
Rory McIlroy was described by his coach as “the complete player” after sealing his second Players Championship crown in a bloodless three-hole play-off against J.J. Spaun here at the Stadium Course ...Yahoo Sports - 1h -
Buffalo Bills LB Terrel Bernard changes jersey number
A new look for TB:Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Timpview star — and BYU commit — Jane Hedengren just set national records in 2 different events
Hedengren’s recent achievements add to her impressive résumé.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Celtics Lab 310: On all-female broadcast crews and covering the Celtics with Abby Chin
Don't miss this special episode - and if you have ideas what Abby should use for a signature call (think Gorman's 'Got it!'), be sure to let us know.Yahoo Sports - 17m
More in Sports
-
Jaguars NFL draft: What did WR Tetairoa McMillan run at Arizona Pro Day?
Perhaps of interest to the Jacksonville Jaguars, what did Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan run at his pro day?Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Antonio vows to return to football after car crash
West Ham United forward Michail Antonio has insisted he will play professional football again after he recovers from being involved in a near-fatal road traffic collision in December.ESPN - 11m -
Buffalo Bills LB Terrel Bernard changes jersey number
A new look for TB:Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Your guide to all 68 teams in the men’s NCAA tournament
The bracket is set, here's everything you need to know about the competitors for this year's national title.ESPN - 14m -
It's bracket time: Make your picks for the men's tournament
The bracket is set. Here's everything you need to know about the competitors for this year's national title.ESPN - 14m