The Seattle Seahawks are Tremendous Bowl-bound only for the third time within the crew’s historical past, with their franchise quarterback Sam Darnold main the way in which. But, it wasn’t at all times that means.
After three shedding seasons with the New York Jets and stints with the Carolina Panthers, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Minnesota Vikings, it appeared Darnold could be forged apart as a journeyman quarterback.
Now, after a stellar 2025–26 season underneath second-year head coach Mike Macdonald, it appears to be like like Darnold could be positioned because the Seahawks’ beginning quarterback for a few years to come back.
Right here’s how Darnold is value and the way he makes his cash.
Sam Darnold’s web value in 2026
Darnold most likely has a web value of about $45 million to $50 million, based mostly on his lifetime earnings within the NFL to date and what he’s made off the sphere. Some media sources, together with Movie star Internet Price, put his web value at round $30 million to $45 million.
Associated: NFL beginning quarterback salaries 2025: Who makes probably the most?
How does Sam Darnold make his cash?
Darnold’s major supply of earnings comes from his NFL profession. His earnings over his eight-year profession within the NFL totaled $104 million, in accordance with Over the Cap, which tracks gamers’ salaries.
In 2025, Darnold signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks. For the 2025–26 season, he’s set to make $33.5 million. That’s an enormous pay enhance from the earlier 12 months, when he was making $10 million on a one-year deal for the Minnesota Vikings, and from 2023, when he was making $4.5 million as a backup to Brock Purdy for the San Francisco 49ers.
As a rookie quarterback for the New York Jets, the crew noticed potential in his playmaking and paid him a mean annual wage of $8.58 million throughout his three-year stint there.
Outdoors of soccer, Darnold makes cash from endorsements. He’s a model ambassador for Nike, Bose, and restaurant chain Panini.
Who’s Sam Darnold? His life & profession
Samuel Richard Darnold was born in Dana Level, California, on June 5, 1997. He comes from a lineage of athleticism, with members on both facet of his household collaborating in main sports activities. In accordance with his bio with the College of Southern California, the place he served as quarterback, Darnold’s father, Mike, performed soccer at Redlands Excessive Faculty, and his mom, Chris, performed volleyball at Lengthy Seaside Metropolis School.
Amongst different kinfolk who had been athletes, Darnold’s late grandfather, Dick Hammer, performed basketball at USC and was a member of the 1964 Olympic volleyball crew for Crew USA. Hammer additionally appeared in movies, TV, and commercials, the place he featured because the Marlboro Man, in accordance with USC.
Darnold’s highschool sports activities profession
Darnold stood out taking part in each soccer and basketball at San Clemente Excessive Faculty in California (the place he additionally performed baseball). Darnold began as a large receiver and linebacker as a freshman, and in his sophomore 12 months, he took over quarterbacking duties after the starter was injured.
Over three years at San Clemente, Darnold compiled a 15–3 document. An harm throughout his junior 12 months pushed him to excel in his senior 12 months. He set faculty season data for passing yards, passing TDs, completions, and complete yards (3,770) in 2014, in accordance with his USC bio. Darnold accomplished 213 of 314 passes (at a 67.8% charge) for two,996 yards with 39 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He ran for 785 yards on 125 carries with 13 touchdowns.
Darnold’s faculty soccer profession
Darnold’s highschool taking part in caught the eye of main colleges, and, as a four-star recruit, USC supplied him a full tutorial scholarship. There, he majored in communications.
At USC, his stellar play continued. In his freshman 12 months in 2015, Darnold redshirted because the quantity three quarterback. He began as a rookie in his sophomore 12 months and rapidly turned probably the greatest faculty quarterbacks within the nation.
In all 13 video games and beginning the final 10, he accomplished 246-of-366 passes (67.2%) for 3,086 yards with 31 TDs and 9 interceptions, plus 62 carries for 250 yards with 2 TDs and three tackles, in accordance with his USC bio.
He led the USC Trojans to a Rose Bowl victory over Penn State—setting a document alongside the way in which in passing touchdowns (5).
In his junior 12 months, Darnold was a Heisman Trophy finalist.
Extra on sports activities:
- Brock Purdy’s web value in 2025: From Mr. Irrelevant to Tremendous Bowl contender
- Matt Stafford’s web value: The Rams QB’s wealth & earnings as he chases one other Tremendous Bowl win
- Trevor Lawrence’s web value: The Jaguars QB’s wealth as he chases a Tremendous Bowl win
Darnold’s NFL profession
Darnold forwent his senior 12 months for the 2018 NFL Draft, during which he was the third general choose. The New York Jets, coming off a 5–11 document within the 2017–18 season, had been in search of Darnold to enhance their efficiency. Nonetheless, the Jets, which had one of many longest season shedding streaks within the NFL, carried out poorly. In his three years as quarterback, the Jets compiled a 13–35 document.
In 2021, Darnold was traded to the Carolina Panthers, sharing quarterback duties with Baker Mayfield, who was additionally struggling a soccer purgatory of types after beginning for the Cleveland Browns. Darnold compiled a 4–7 document for the season, and went 4–2 within the 2022 season.
In 2023, Darnold turned a free agent, and it appeared his taking part in days as a starter had been over, and he must spend the remaining years as a journeyman quarterback. He was picked up by the San Francisco 49ers and served as backup to Brock Purdy. The 49ers head coach, Kyle Shanahan, has a knack for expertise, and as a backup, Darnold took the time to study because the crew made a run for the Tremendous Bowl however ultimately misplaced to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
Darnold was picked up by the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, and in a resurgence of his profession, he led the crew to a formidable 14–3 document.
In 2025, the Seattle Seahawks picked Darnold up and signed him to a three-year $100.5 million contract. His play dispelled all rumors that he was a washed-up quarterback, and in 2026, he is main the Seahawks to the Tremendous Bowl for the primary time since 2014.
How does Sam Darnold spend his cash?
Darnold has stored a low profile on his spending. The profession of a quarterback within the league has its ups and downs, and being a standout faculty recruit within the NFL Draft doesn’t essentially translate into the identical degree of stardom within the league.
All through his NFL profession, Darnold has devoted a few of his spare time to the By no means Ever Give Up (NEGU) Jessie Rees Basis, which helps kids combat most cancers.
