Sam Darnold Stats: The Complete Career Breakdown Through 2025
NFL fans chase Sam Darnold stats across three different team pages and still miss the full picture. Scattered numbers, outdated contract figures, and zero context leave you guessing about his true value. That stops here. This pillar page hands you every meaningful stat — college through his 2025 Seahawks season — plus contract specifics, injury impacts, and the personal story that shapes his career. No filler, just the complete statistical profile you need to evaluate him fairly.
Sam Darnold Stats: A Quick Overview
Before diving into year-by-year detail, these core career numbers (through the 2025 season) define Darnold’s professional arc:
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played (Starts) | 98 (95) |
| Passing Yards | 19,767 |
| Passing Touchdowns | 123 |
| Interceptions | 79 |
| Completion Percentage | 61.7% |
| Passer Rating | 89.1 |
| Rushing Yards | 982 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 9 |
| Game-Winning Drives | 11 |
| Fourth-Quarter Comebacks | 8 |
These totals capture a career of highs, lows, and a powerful late resurgence. Every data point below explains how he got here.
Sam Darnold Stats Year by Year: Passing Production
Darnold’s passing stats show clear chapters. This table lays out each regular season, making it easy to spot the turning points.
| Year | Team | G | GS | Comp | Att | Comp% | Yards | TD | INT | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | NYJ | 13 | 13 | 239 | 414 | 57.7 | 2,865 | 17 | 15 | 77.6 |
| 2019 | NYJ | 13 | 13 | 273 | 441 | 61.9 | 3,024 | 19 | 13 | 84.3 |
| 2020 | NYJ | 12 | 12 | 217 | 364 | 59.6 | 2,208 | 9 | 11 | 72.7 |
| 2021 | CAR | 12 | 11 | 243 | 406 | 59.9 | 2,527 | 9 | 13 | 71.9 |
| 2022 | CAR/SF | 6 | 6 | 82 | 140 | 58.6 | 1,143 | 7 | 3 | 92.6 |
| 2023 | SF | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | MIN | 17 | 17 | 362 | 536 | 67.5 | 4,153 | 35 | 12 | 103.0 |
| 2025 | SEA | 16 | 16 | 349 | 538 | 64.9 | 3,847 | 27 | 12 | 94.6 |
Stats sourced from Pro Football Reference and official NFL gamebooks.
The 2024 and 2025 seasons rewrite Darnold’s narrative. Over those two campaigns, he threw 62 touchdown passes against just 24 interceptions — numbers that finally match his first-round pedigree.
Sam Darnold Stats on the Ground: Rushing Value
Don’t overlook his mobility. Darnold adds value with timely scrambles and designed rollouts.
- 2018: 44 carries, 138 yards, 1 TD
- 2019: 33 carries, 62 yards, 2 TD
- 2020: 37 carries, 217 yards, 2 TD
- 2021: 48 carries, 222 yards, 5 TD
- 2022: 21 carries, 106 yards, 2 TD
- 2024: 51 carries, 212 yards, 1 TD
- 2025: 38 carries, 145 yards, 1 TD
His five rushing scores in 2021 still stand as a career-high anomaly, but consistent chunk gains in recent years keep defenses honest.
Sam Darnold’s 2024 Stats: Career-Best Season with the Vikings
Minnesota unlocked a version of Darnold no one saw coming. Working under Kevin O’Connell, he set personal bests in every meaningful category.
- Completion Percentage: 67.5% (previous best 61.9%)
- Yards Per Attempt: 7.7
- TD Rate: 6.5% (top 5 among qualified passers)
- INT Rate: 2.2% (career low)
- Passer Rating: 103.0
- QBR: 65.8
- Sack Rate: 5.8% (lowest of his starting seasons)
He threw for 300+ yards in six games, led four fourth-quarter comebacks, and guided the Vikings to a 12-5 record. Those 2024 Sam Darnold stats proved he could lead a playoff-caliber offense when the system and weapons aligned.
How Sam Darnold Stats Compare to the 2018 QB Class
The 2018 draft produced five first-round quarterbacks. Years later, the stat comparison reshapes the narrative.
| Quarterback | Draft Spot | Career Yards | Career TDs | INTs | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baker Mayfield | 1 | 23,807 | 157 | 81 | 90.5 |
| Sam Darnold | 3 | 19,767 | 123 | 79 | 89.1 |
| Josh Allen | 7 | 26,432 | 201 | 70 | 94.2 |
| Josh Rosen | 10 | 2,864 | 12 | 21 | 63.5 |
| Lamar Jackson | 32 | 16,878 | 135 | 47 | 98.0 |
Darnold ranks third in yards and touchdowns, and his passer rating now sits just behind Mayfield. Given the dysfunctional situations he endured early, the gap between him and the class’s top tier shrinks with each productive season.
Sam Darnold Contract Details and Salary Cap Impact
Money follows performance. Darnold’s contracts trace his market value from backup money to franchise-commitment level.
- Rookie deal (2018-2021): 4 years, $30.25 million fully guaranteed (Jets)
- Panthers trade (2021): Carolina exercised fifth-year option worth $18.9 million
- 49ers (2023): 1 year, $4.5 million ($3.5M guaranteed) as a backup
- Vikings prove-it deal (2024): 1 year, $10 million fully guaranteed — Darnold bet on himself and won
- Seahawks extension (2025): 3 years, $100.5 million, $55 million guaranteed
Seattle’s deal includes a $25 million signing bonus and annual base salaries that escalate from $18 million (2025) to $28 million (2027). The contract jumps him from bridge quarterback to central pillar of a franchise.
Sam Darnold Injury History and Its Impact on Stats
Health directly shaped Sam Darnold stats season by season. Here’s the timeline of meaningful absences or limitations:
- 2018 (Foot): Missed three games with a foot strain; limited mobility upon return.
- 2019 (Mono): Diagnosed with mononucleosis, missed three starts. Weight loss and endurance lagged for weeks.
- 2020 (Shoulder): AC joint sprain in Week 4, missed two games. Threw multiple interceptions in his first game back.
- 2021 (Concussion/Shoulder): Placed on IR with a fractured scapula after Week 9, ending his Panthers season early.
- 2022 (Ankle): High ankle sprain in preseason; didn’t start the first weeks, later landed in a backup role.
- 2023-2025: Zero games missed due to injury. Full health correlated directly with his best statistical output.
A clean bill of health the past three years removed the constant “what if” from the conversation and allowed the raw talent to convert into reliable production.
Sam Darnold’s Personal Life: Wife and Grandfather
Sam Darnold Wife: Cassandra Darnold
Sam Darnold married Cassandra “Cass” Darnold in the spring of 2023. She played volleyball at the University of Southern California, where the two met. Cass keeps a low public profile but frequently appears at games and team events. Their relationship adds stability that Darnold openly credits for his mental reset after turbulent early seasons.
Sam Darnold Grandfather: Dick Hammer
Athletic greatness runs in the family. Darnold’s maternal grandfather, Dick Hammer, was a two-time NCAA basketball champion at USC and later competed as an Olympic volleyball player in 1964. Hammer also served as a Los Angeles firefighter and appeared in Marlboro commercials as the original “Marlboro Man” model. He passed away in 2021, but Darnold often speaks about the standard his grandfather set and the expectation to compete with unshakable confidence.
Sam Darnold Stats: College Years at USC
Before the NFL, Darnold lit up the Pac-12. His two years as a starter built the draft hype.
| Year | G | Comp | Att | Comp% | Yards | TD | INT | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 13 | 213 | 316 | 67.4 | 2,633 | 26 | 8 | 167.3 |
| 2017 | 14 | 303 | 480 | 63.1 | 3,792 | 26 | 12 | 143.6 |
He led USC to a Rose Bowl win in 2017 and finished his college career with a 30-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio across his final 17 games. Those numbers, combined with prototypical size and off-platform ability, secured his place as the third overall pick.
The Comeback Arc: From Jets Bust Narrative to Franchise Cornerstone
Sam Darnold stats tell a story of resilience. After 2022, the “bust” label felt locked in. Then Minnesota and Seattle flipped the script:
- 2024: Top-5 in touchdown passes, fewest turnover-worthy plays since entering the league.
- 2025: Maintained a 27-touchdown pace despite a new offensive system and coaching staff.
- Advanced Metrics: Deep ball accuracy (20+ air yards) rose from 35% in 2021 to 48% in 2025.
- Pressure Response: Completion rate under pressure jumped from 41% (2020) to 58% (2024-2025).
A support system that emphasized play-action, clean pockets, and defined reads unlocked the quarterback evaluators saw coming out of USC.
Expert Analysis: What Sam Darnold Stats Reveal About His Future
Looking at the full statistical picture, five key takeaways emerge:
- Efficiency leap is sustainable: His 2024-2025 combined 94+ passer rating isn’t a fluke — it’s built on real improvements in sack avoidance and decision-making.
- Turnover management matured: After averaging an interception on 3.2% of throws his first five years, that number dropped below 2.4% over the past two seasons.
- System fit matters heavily: Play-action heavy offenses with talented skill players unlock his best traits.
- Health equals production: The first fully healthy multi-year stretch of his career directly coincided with his best numbers.
- Value beyond the box score: His 11 game-winning drives tie him with several established veterans, proving clutch ability isn’t missing.
The Sam Darnold stats now point toward a starting-caliber quarterback who can win with talent around him and won’t lose games with careless mistakes. That’s precisely what Seattle bet $100 million on.
Sam Darnold Stats: Frequently Asked Questions
What are Sam Darnold’s career NFL stats through 2025?
Through the 2025 season, Darnold has thrown for 19,767 yards, 123 touchdowns, and 79 interceptions while adding 982 rushing yards and 9 scores on the ground. His career passer rating sits at 89.1.
How much does Sam Darnold currently earn under his contract?
He is playing on a 3-year, $100.5 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks that includes $55 million guaranteed. The agreement is valid through the 2027 campaign.
What is the most significant injury in Sam Darnold’s career?
In 2021, a fractured scapula ruined his Carolina season and raised questions about his future. However, he has not missed a game due to injury since 2022.
Who is Sam Darnold’s wife?
Sam Darnold is married to Cassandra Darnold, a former USC volleyball player. They wed in 2023.
Who is Sam Darnold’s famous grandfather?
His grandfather Dick Hammer was a USC basketball legend, an Olympic volleyball player, and the original model for the Marlboro Man advertisements.
How do Sam Darnold’s stats compare to Josh Allen from the same draft class?
Josh Allen leads in career yards (26,432 vs. 19,767) and touchdowns (201 vs. 123), but Darnold’s recent efficiency (94.6 rating in 2025) narrows the gap in per-play effectiveness.
Keep This Page as Your Live Sam Darnold Stats Hub
Sam Darnold’s stats now tell a story that few saw coming — a career resurrection built on durability, system fit, and refined decision-making. For up-to-date 2026 season statistics, bookmark this page since it is updated whenever official game data is posted. Which stat surprised you most? Drop your prediction for his final 2026 stat line in the comments and let’s track it together.
