If you step back and look at it, Sam Darnold’s playing career has mirrored a similar trajectory he once had at USC. He was a late riser, but ended up being one of the best quarterbacks for the Trojans. Things played out quite similarly, if not more brutally, for the 28-year-old in the NFL. After winning his first Super Bowl, he did not shy away from reflecting on the journey.

“It’s funny how it works,” Darnold said after his 23-19 win over the New England Patriots. “I didn’t play great football the first few years of my career, and then I came here to San Francisco, and I learned a ton. And I think because of that year in San Francisco, I was able to learn a ton. Learn from Brock [Purdy] and coach Shanahan.”

After entering the league as the third-overall pick in 2018 by the New York Jets, Darnold failed to prove his mettle. Indeed, there were many issues with the Jets themselves, but following a three-year tenure, Darnold was sent to the Carolina Panthers. The QB could not perform well there either and finally landed in San Francisco in 2023. And the story there is even more interesting.

In the 49ers, quarterback Brock Purdy, quite literally, went from being Mr. Irrelevant as the 262nd-overall pick in 2022 to being their franchise QB with his powerful outings in just five games. He was the second string behind veteran Jimmy Garoppolo in his rookie season, but with the primary QB being inactive, head coach Kyle Shanahan gave Purdy his chance.

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Garoppolo wasn’t bad. He helped the team to a 7-3 record in 11 games played. But Purdy broke out with a 5-0 ending to the 49ers’ season. Next season onwards, with Garoppolo gone, he was firmly in place to lead the group. But who was behind him?

Consequently, Shanahan brought in Darnold on a $4.5 milion/ one-year contract. But, of course, with Purdy cemented as their primary quarterback, the USC alum didn’t get any but one start in the ten games he played. That final game against the Las Vegas Raiders was a close 20-21 loss for him. He was, once again, traded.

Things, however, took a turn for Darnold.

In his short stint in Minnesota, he started every game, racking up a 14-3 record. And once his time was up there, Macdonald reached out to him and flew Darnold into Seattle.

It was indeed a long run. But it turned into a Lombardi trophy and a Super Bowl ring to show everyone.

With his win on Sunday, Darnold becomes the only quarterback of his class to win a Super Bowl. In fact, he is the only one to even appear in the big game so far.

The comparison becomes even more stark when you learn that the QBs in that 2018 draft class were the likes of Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, who altered the paths of their franchises from the first day and became the face of the team from the get-go. But that’s what it is. Darnold’s experience and his collected demeanor have brought him to this point. And his NFL career until last season wasn’t the only bad reality he faced.

Sam Darnold once saw “ghosts” against the Patriots

One of the toughest moments of Sam Darnold’s career came back in 2019 during his time with the New York Jets. In Week 7 against the New England Patriots, he struggled badly, fumbling the ball and having multiple interceptions, which summed up a brutal night. Soon after, cameras caught Darnold on the bench with a stunned expression, and his words quickly became infamous.

“I’m seeing ghosts,” he said.

From that point on, Gang Green faced constant questions, while the Patriots’ defense earned even more praise for breaking young quarterbacks. Years later, back in 2022, Darnold revealed how tough that moment was.

“That was the worst game by far that I’ve ever played in my life,” Darnold said on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast. “I own up to it.”

Now, beating the Patriots on the biggest stage completed a full-circle moment for him.

In the victory, Darnold finished 19 of 38 for 202 yards with a touchdown. While the stat line was modest, the result was not. When asked where the confidence came from after being traded so often, Darnold did not hesitate.

“It’s easy. My teammates and my coaches.” He added, “They believed in me ever since the beginning of training camp. That was our mindset every single day we came to work.”

Sam Darnold isn’t the only quarterback with a redemption arc in Seattle.

Geno Smith’s turnaround at the Seattle Seahawks remains one of the most inspiring comeback stories in recent NFL history. After spending years as a backup and being moved between teams, Smith finally got his long-awaited shot in 2022, and boy, did he grab the opportunity.

He started 17 games that year, threw 30 touchdowns, and even made the Pro Bowl while leading his team to the playoffs and winning the AP Comeback Player of the Year. Smith’s reputation changed overnight, and he went from a journeyman quarterback to a proven starter.

Darnold’s story is not very different.

Head coach Mike Macdonald echoed Darnold’s sentiments, who had praised his quarterback’s resilience throughout the season.

Head coach Mike Macdonald was always impressed by Sam Darnold

This season, Darnold became a household name for the Seahawks, and head coach Mike Macdonald made sure to give his quarterback credit for the team’s championship run.

“All he does is just play great football,” Macdonald said while speaking to the media. “He’s a great teammate every day. Same guy every day. By the way, he’s a great football player, and the team loves him, you know, and he’s earned it. He’s earned it every day. And I can’t be more happy for someone than Sam Darnold being a world champion. He’s absolutely earned this.”

However, the road to this moment was anything but smooth for Darnold.

Through thick and thin, Darnold has carried the same persona he always did: no ego, just learning. His perspective has always impressed everyone. Years later, that same view has helped him become a world champion. So, does he deserve it? As Macdonald said, he has earned it!

He finally put it all together after arriving in the Emerald City this year. Darnold finished the regular season with a 99.1 passer rating, 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Then, when it mattered most, he was steady, posting a 102.4 rating with 672 yards and five passing touchdowns in three playoff games, fully justifying Macdonald’s praise.