Sam Darnolds career has taken several turns since the drafted him third overall in 2018. At one point, Darnold was a highly touted draft prospect out of USC, but he wasnt ready for the NFL when he started for the Jets as a 21-year-old rookie. Since then, Darnold has traveled the league looking for a home and now seems to have found one with the . As Darnold makes a run for a Super Bowl, his path to succe s has been very different from most of his peers. Heres a breakdown of Darnolds career timeline. MORE : Sam Darnold teams timeline New York Jets (2018-2020) The Jets drafted Sam Darnold No. 3 overall in the 2018 draft, expecting the USC prospect to become the team's franchise quarterback. While Darnold showed flashes of potential in New York, he never developed as the team had hoped. He struggled to find his footing, turning the ball over too often and failing to overcome a weak supporting cast. While other quarterbacks from his draft cla s thrived, Darnold couldnt rise above his circumstances. Over three seasons, Darnolds Jets went 13-35, including a dismal 2-14 campaign in 2020 that led to the firing of head coach Adam Gase. With the No. 2 pick in hand and a new coaching staff, the Jets decided to start fresh at quarterback, drafting Zach Wilson and trading Darnold to the . Carolina Aden Cannon Jersey Panthers (2021-2022) Darnolds fresh start with the Panthers didnt go as planned. He battled injuries and threw more interceptions than touchdowns in the 2021 season, then played in just six games the following year, ending his Carolina tenure in disappointing fashion. In 18 games with Carolina, Darnold won eight but threw only 16 touchdowns while also to sing 16 interceptions. When he became a free agent after the season, his stock was arguably at its lowest, and he faced the challenge of rehabilitating his reputation. San Francisco 49ers (2023) Darnold signed a free-agent deal with the in 2023, choosing to serve as a backup to Brock Purdy for the season. He threw just 46 pa ses that year and spent most of the season learning from Kyle Shanahan and observing behind Purdy, giving him a brief respite from the chaotic start to his career. Darnold appeared in 10 games for San Francisco but started only onea Week 18 lo s to the when the 49ers had their playoff spot locked up. He remained on the roster as the team made a run to the Super Bowl but did not play a snap in the playoffs. Minnesota Vikings (2024) Once again a free agent, Darnold landed a one-year contract with the to serve as the team's starting quarterback. Darnold proceeded to have the best season of his career, throwing a career-high 35 touchdowns and 4,319 pa sing yards while leading the Vikings to 14 wins an a wild-card berth. Unfortunately, Darnold's final two games soured an incredible season. The quarterback struggled in Week 18 against the with the division on the line, then had more i sues in the playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams. With J.J. McCarthy recovering from a knee injury, the Vikings chose not to bring Darnold back. Seattle Seahawks (2025-Present) Darnold's 2024 season earned him a three-year, $100 million contract to replace Geno Smith as the Seahawks quarterback. While Darnold's 2025 numbers weren't as gaudy as his numbers from 2024, he still led the team to 14 wins while making his second-straight Pro Bowl appearance. Darnold became the to lead two different franchises to 14 wins in a season, along with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Jared Goff. MORE: Sam Darnold career stats Year Team Games Record Completion percentage Pa sing yards Touchdowns Interceptions 2018 Jets 13 4-9 57.7% 2,865 17 15 2019 Jets 13 7-6 61.9% 3,024 19 13 2020 Jets 12 2-10 59.6% 2,208 9 11 2021 Panthers 12 4-7 59.9% 2,527 9 13 2022 Panthers 6 4-2 58.6% 1,143 7 3 2023 49ers 10 0-1 60.9% 297 2 1 2024 Vikings 17 14-3 66.2% 4,319 35 12 2025 Seahawks 17 14-3 67.7% 4,048 25 14 Finn Walters Jersey