The 2021 NFL season has been full of surprises, but one of the biggest has been the rise of the Seattle Seahawks. Under the guidance of head coach Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks have become a team to be reckoned with, making their mark in the highly competitive NFC West division.
Macdonald, who was previously the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, has brought his expertise to Seattle and has transformed the Seahawks’ defense into a formidable unit. At the same time, he has also put together a well-balanced offense that is being led by none other than quarterback Russell Wilson.
As the Seahawks continue their impressive run, many NFL pundits have taken notice, including the outspoken ESPN personality, Stephen A. Smith. However, despite the team’s success, Smith has a surprising concern about one player in particular – Sam Darnold.
Smith recently expressed his concerns about Darnold, who is currently the quarterback for the New York Jets. In a segment on ESPN’s “First Take,” Smith said, “[Mike Macdonald] has been phenomenal. But what worries me is Sam Darnold. I saw him post a quarterback rating of zero. Zero! That’s worrisome.”
At first glance, Smith’s concern may seem valid. After all, Darnold has had a less than stellar start to his NFL career, playing for a struggling Jets team that has failed to make the playoffs since 2010. However, upon further examination, it becomes clear that Smith’s concern may be misplaced.
First and foremost, it is important to note that Darnold is not playing for the Seahawks. He is the quarterback for the Jets, a team that is still finding its footing and has yet to establish a strong supporting cast for their young quarterback. It is unfair to judge Darnold’s abilities based solely on his performance with a subpar team.
Furthermore, Darnold is only 24 years old and still has a lot of potential to develop and improve as a quarterback. He has shown flashes of brilliance in his career, including a game against the Denver Broncos in 2019 where he threw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns. With the right guidance and support, there is no doubt that Darnold can become a successful quarterback in the league.
Moreover, it is worth mentioning that Darnold’s time with the Jets may be coming to an end. With the Jets currently holding the second overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft, there is a high possibility that they will select a quarterback, effectively ending Darnold’s stint with the team. This could give Darnold a fresh start and a chance to prove himself with a new team and a better supporting cast.
It is also worth noting that Smith’s concerns about Darnold’s zero rating game were from a game in October 2020, where the Jets lost to the Miami Dolphins in a 24-0 shutout. While Darnold’s performance in that game was less than ideal, it was still just one game in a long NFL season. It is unfair to label Darnold as a bad quarterback based on one game alone.
In contrast, Wilson has been consistently performing at an MVP level for the Seahawks, and his partnership with Macdonald has been a key factor in the team’s success. But it is important to remember that it took time for Wilson to establish himself as a top quarterback in the league. In his first two seasons, he threw for a combined 3,118 yards and 26 touchdowns. It wasn’t until his third season that he truly broke out and solidified himself as a top quarterback.
All in all, while Smith’s concerns about Darnold are understandable, it is worth taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture. Darnold may not be the superstar quarterback that Wilson is, but he still has the potential to become a successful starter in the league. With the right support and opportunities, he could surprise many in the future.
As for the Seahawks, they are currently focused on their own success and are proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the league. With Macdonald at the helm and Wilson leading the way, there is no limit to what this team can achieve. So, while Smith may have a concern about Darnold, the Seahawks and their fans have much to be excited about and confident in.
