The quarterback room of the Seattle Seahawks is already abuzz with the 2025 season on the horizon. And Sam Darnold is in the crosshairs. Having put together a stellar playoff resume last season with the Minnesota Vikings, Darnold arrives in Seattle with hopes high but scrutiny even higher. Head coach Mike Macdonald, who boasts a no-nonsense, detail-oriented style, fielded the maelstrom of questions in June regarding Sam. “No, you guys are crazy. I respect that you’ve got to ask it. But it’s just a crazy question. It’s just not going to happen. Sam’s our starting quarterback.” The comment is reassuring. But the dynamics of a new offense. A changing coaching staff and an emerging competition in the quarterback room mean Darnold’s play will ultimately determine his place under center.

Things were further complicated when the NFL on NBC crew pointed out the stakes for Sam Darnold in the Seattle quarterback room this past weekend. Jon “Stugotz” Weiner matter-of-factly included him among the popular quarterbacks, stating, “All right, number four on this list, Sam Darnold.” Though short, the mention placed Darnold as one of the players under intense observation. Indicating that experts are keen on observing how he performs following his transfer to the Seahawks.

Chris Simms built on pressure, observing Darnold’s move from Minnesota to a new team and system: “It’s going to be interesting to see what Sam does coming from Minnesota, going to Seattle. Leaves Kevin O’Connell now with a new offense, new coordinator, all that kind of stuff.” He brought some competitiveness to it, referencing Jalen Milroe: “Jalen Milroe looked really, really good over the weekend. So I have Milroe replacing Darnold by week seven… Jalen Milroe is the kind of guy that’s going to get the fan base just frothing at the mouth.” Simms’ analysis points out that Darnold’s hold on the starting role hinges directly on how he plays early in the season, with Milroe waiting in the wings as a possible threat.

“The tolerance for mistakes is small.” That’s been the unspoken theme in Seattle’s quarterback room this summer. Sam Darnold may be the starter, but every rep feels like a referendum. He’s learning Mike Macdonald’s system, syncing with a younger receiving corps, and navigating a backfield still adapting to shifting roles… All while rookie Jalen Milroe keeps flashing in camp.

Some around the league already see the writing on the wall. “I think Sam starts one year, and they go with the young kid,” an NFL executive told The Athletic’s Mike Sando. Darnold’s coming off the best year of his seven-year career. 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, a 14-3 record, and his first Pro Bowl. But his $100.5 million deal is built for an early exit. As Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio pointed out, Seattle could move on after just one season and $37.5 million. Milroe, a 2025 third-round pick, looked the part in Aug. 7’s preseason opener against the Raiders. Milroe went for 6-of-10 for 61 yards through the air and adding 38 yards on the ground. His dual-threat game has fueled speculation he could see the field this year in special packages, setting up a longer-term challenge to Darnold’s hold on QB1.

The stakes extend beyond the depth chart. Seattle’s offense is a work in progress. A re-built line, a young group of pass-catchers, and new schemes all demand stability at quarterback. If Darnold delivers, the Seahawks can ride his experience to steady the offense and keep playoff hopes alive. If he falters, the shift to Milroe could happen faster than planned, reshaping the team’s identity midseason.

The Macdonald approach: Managing talent and workload

As Darnold finds his way, head coach Mike Macdonald has also been working on personnel management throughout the roster. Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker did not practice for the second consecutive day because of minor foot soreness. But Macdonald said that the day off is part of a carefully laid plan to rest the important players leading up to September. “We have a plan for Ken, and we’re sticking to the plan,” Walker said via Brady Henderson of ESPN. The measured approach underscores Macdonald’s philosophy. Keeping top performers at peak condition while balancing the need to evaluate depth and adaptability in a rigorous preseason schedule.

Macdonald’s plan extends beyond running backs. Center Olu Oluwatimi sat out Monday’s practice with a back injury. Opening the door for reserve Jalen Sundell to receive first-team reps. The coaching approach reflects a broader objective. Making every player know their role while being prepared to play when needed. By staggering loads and rotating players, Macdonald keeps pressure competitive in each group position.

Seahawks’ overall training camp environment is a manifestation of this philosophy. Macdonald instills competition without generating chaos, combining accountability with mentorship. Players are challenged to test one another at practice, refine situational consciousness, and respond to in-game situations. It’s a strategic process that focuses on growth, reduces risk of injury. And maintains every player interested in the team’s long-term prosperity. For Darnold, watching Macdonald handle the roster in measured fashion is a reminder that greatness has to be combined with toughness. With day-after-day performance, and with leadership.

Macdonald’s masterful management of training camp chemistry, along with Darnold’s high-visibility quarterback assessment, will lay the groundwork for a deciding early-season period. For Seattle fans, the season will be an intermixing of excitement and suspense. With Darnold’s odyssey serving as the defining narrative.