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As speculation swirled around the Seattle Seahawks' quarterback situation, Head Coach Mike Macdonald put any doubts to rest regarding Sam Darnold’s position as the team’s starter. Speaking on Seattle Sports 710-AM, Macdonald firmly dismissed any talk of a quarterback controversy. "No, you guys are crazy," Macdonald stated emphatically, as reported by ESPN. "Sam's our starting quarterback. We love him. He's doing a tremendous job."

Darnold, 27, joined the Seahawks with a hefty three-year, $100.5 million deal following a standout season with the Minnesota Vikings, where he achieved his first Pro Bowl selection. Despite some early hiccups at the team's organized team activities (OTAs) this week, including two interceptions within a short period, Macdonald reassured fans and the media that these setbacks were part of the process. "God forbid you're the worst player of all time because you made one bad throw or one bad decision," Macdonald said. "We want these guys to prepare the right way... It's June 3... We'll get those things fixed."

The Seahawks' commitment to Darnold comes after moving on from quarterback Geno Smith, who was traded to the Raiders in March following a season that ended shy of the playoffs with a 10-7 record. Seattle also has backup plans in place, with former backup quarterback Drew Lock returning to the team in April and rookie Jalen Milroe, a third-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft out of Alabama.

Darnold’s journey to Seattle marks his next chapter after an up-and-down career. Last season, he threw 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions for the Vikings, propelling the team to the playoffs before they were eliminated in the wild-card round by the Rams. The game highlighted the highs and lows of Darnold's performance, as he threw a touchdown, an interception, and was sacked nine times.

With the season opener slated for September 7 against the 49ers, the Seahawks remain steadfast in their decision to have Darnold lead the team. Macdonald’s comments are indicative of the organization's confidence in their investment, aiming to build a strong foundation rather than making hasty judgments based on early pre-season practices.