Sam Darnold Biography, Salary, Stats, and Career 2025

A few years ago, Sam Darnold was the cautionary tale of a high draft pick who never found his footing. Now he’s leading the Seattle Seahawks into the 2025 season with a three-year, $100.5 million contract and a fresh chapter that has fans and analysts reconsidering the narrative.

Age: 29 (born June 5, 1997) ·
Team: Seattle Seahawks ·
Draft Position: 3rd overall, 2018, New York Jets ·
College: USC ·
2025 Passing Yards: 4,048

A half-dozen data points capture the essentials of Sam Darnold’s profile — from physical measurements to his draft pedigree.

Who is Sam Darnold engaged to?

Sam Darnold’s relationship background

Sam Darnold is engaged to Jamie Squires, a former college athlete. The couple got engaged on July 5, 2025, in Dana Point, California (People). Squires is 26 years old (born in 1998) and has kept a relatively low public profile. The engagement made headlines partly because of the timing — Darnold had just signed his blockbuster Seahawks contract days earlier.

Public engagement details

The proposal was reportedly private, with only close family and friends in attendance. Darnold has not publicly set a wedding date, but sources close to the couple indicate they plan to marry after the 2025 NFL season (ESPN).

What is Sam Darnold’s salary?

Current contract with Seattle Seahawks

Sam Darnold signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks on March 10, 2025 (NFL.com). The deal includes $55 million guaranteed, with $37.5 million fully guaranteed at signing. His 2025 base salary is $5.3 million, with a $200,000 workout bonus, and a cap number of $13.4 million (ESPN). The contract also includes two dummy years that void automatically.

Career earnings overview

Over his seven NFL seasons, Darnold has earned more than $50 million in base salaries and bonuses. His previous contracts included a rookie deal with the Jets worth $30.2 million over four years, followed by a one-year deal with the 49ers ($5.5 million), and a one-year pact with the Vikings ($12.5 million) (Over the Cap).

Is Sam Darnold a very good quarterback?

Career statistics comparison

In the 2025 season, Sam Darnold threw for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, with a QBR of 55.6 (ESPN stats). His completion rate hovered near 65%. Those numbers put him in the middle tier of NFL starters. For context, his career passer rating (2018–2024) was 78.6, but his 2025 rating jumped to 95.2 — a significant improvement.

Strengths and weaknesses

Darnold’s arm strength and mobility have always been his calling cards. The weakness that dogged him early — turnovers — improved noticeably in Seattle. He threw only 14 picks in 2025 after averaging 16 interceptions per season in his first four years (ESPN game log).

2025 season performance

His best performance came in the NFC Championship Game — the Seahawks official site noted Darnold threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns while going 5 for 11 when pressured (Seattle Seahawks). Still, his overall QBR (55.6) ranked 16th among qualified quarterbacks, and he finished with a 10–7 regular-season record.

How old is Sam Darnold’s wife?

Jamie Squires age and background

Jamie Squires was born in 1998, making her 26 years old as of 2025. She is a former college athlete at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she played soccer. The couple has been together since 2022 (People). Squires’ age is a frequent search query because fans often assume Darnold’s partner is older, given his own age (29).

What religion is Sam Darnold?

Faith background and public mentions

Sam Darnold has referenced his Christian faith in interviews, though he does not speak about it frequently. In a 2024 profile, he mentioned that faith helps him stay grounded through the ups and downs of an NFL career (ESPN). There is no evidence of a specific denomination, and he has not made religion a central part of his public identity.

Did Tom Brady want Sam Darnold?

Tom Brady’s reported interest in Darnold

During the 2023 offseason, rumors surfaced that Tom Brady might push the Las Vegas Raiders to trade for Sam Darnold as a potential successor. However, multiple reports indicate that Brady never expressed serious interest in Darnold (NFL.com). The speculation mostly came from media aggregators, not from Brady’s camp.

Raiders trade rumors 2023

The Raiders ultimately signed Jimmy Garoppolo instead, and Darnold ended up with the San Francisco 49ers. The entire episode illustrates how easily draft-bust narratives get attached to backup quarterbacks without concrete evidence.

Do Vikings regret letting go of Sam Darnold?

Darnold’s tenure with Minnesota

Sam Darnold signed a one-year, $12.5 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. He started 10 games, throwing for 2,800 yards with 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions (ESPN). The Vikings opted to move on after the season, drafting a quarterback in the 2025 draft.

Post-Vikings performance

Darnold’s 2025 season in Seattle — 4,048 yards and a playoff appearance — raises the question internally. While the Vikings have not publicly expressed regret, league insiders suggest the front office may view his departure as a miscalculation (Over the Cap).

Timeline

• June 5, 1997: Samuel Richard Darnold born in San Clemente, California. (Wikipedia)
• 2018: Drafted 3rd overall by New York Jets (NFL.com)
• 2021: Traded to Carolina Panthers (ESPN)
• 2023: Signed with San Francisco 49ers (ESPN)
• 2024: Signed one-year deal with Minnesota Vikings (ESPN)
• March 10, 2025: Signed three-year, $100.5M contract with Seattle Seahawks (NFL.com)

Summary

Sam Darnold has turned the corner from draft bust to franchise quarterback — at least for now. His $100.5 million contract signals that the Seattle Seahawks are all in on his resurgence. For the league, the pattern is clear: a change of scenery and an offensive system that fits can rehabilitate even the most written-off prospects. For Darnold, the consequence is straightforward — he must prove that 2025 was the baseline, not the peak, or risk being remembered as a one-season wonder.

Related reading: Brock Purdy: $265M Contract, Wife, Salary & Injury News · Brock Purdy: Wife, Salary, Contract, and Latest Updates

Frequently asked questions