"Seattle Seahawks: Welcome To The Dark Side"

The final NFL game as concluded for 2025 and two teams were playing
for a Super Bowl. Seventeen regular season games, postseason play
and hoping for a championship. If you liked defense, bully ball, stifling
play calling and jaw-jacking. There's levels to greatness and when you
need "storm troopers" and the footsteps of Darth Vader lurking, a
presence of fear lingered. You couldn't run or hide from "The Dark Side."

Super Bowl 60 concluded Sunday evening from Santa Clara, California;
as the top seeded Seattle Seahawks flew in their version of "Millennium
Falcon," as they defeated AFC champion New England Patriots in a 29-
13 win. A tale of two teams with different resurgences to compete for
championships. Big storylines leading into the game centered around a
journeyman quarterback and new face replacing a once dominate
dynasty.

From kickoff, defense was going to be physical and punch you in the
mouth. Seattle showed no mercy with any remorse; the message was
sent early. You can say New England wasn't ready to play or didn't
belong in the biggest game. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye looked
afraid, scared, shook, all the adjectives you can name. Seattle's
defense ran blitzes in multiple looks, different coverages in their
secondary and Maye had no time to decipher.
This defense played so well, could the Super Bowl MVP been awarded
to them? Or special teams in placekicker Jason Meyers? All sound great
right? Running back Kenneth Walker III won the MVP with a great
performance by torching New England's front and slowing down their
pass rush. Great offensive game plan and the biggest name who I
saved for last. A young man who fans and pundits were ready to send
beyond near galaxies.

What a career revival for quarterback Sam Darnold! Yes, the third
overall pick from 2018. Drafted by poorly ran New York Jets and very
high expectations coming out of USC. A turbulent start to seeing
"ghosts," his career never really panned out. Traded to Carolina in
hitting the reset button. Heading west in a better situation backing up
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Having elite coaching to
develop and study how to become greater.

In a very odd way, Darnold signed a one year deal with Minnesota and
lead the Vikings to a 14-3 record in 2024. Two bad games against
Detroit and playing his first postseason game which resulted in a loss.
Minnesota said thanks but we're playing the guy we drafted in 2024 with
JJ McCarthy. Being a high draft pick and bouncing around from team to
team, Darnold kept his football career alive.

Enter Seattle Seahawks, who needed a new face and guy who wanted
to prove he belonged. Signing a three year deal worth up to $100 million
dollars. Low risk and bridge quarterback in letting rookie quarterback
Jalen Milroe sit behind Darnold. This proved to be every dollar spent as
Seattle became a serious threat in the NFC. Playing a very combative
NFC West division, Darnold's quarterback IQ improved. The noise went
silent for most of 2025 and racking up wins.

Even if Darnold played bad, he didn't become rattled like previous stints.
Poised and taking it one possession at a time and not getting overly
aggressive. The big question still lingered as Seattle secured their
division: would he have one of those game changing interceptions?
Well, he played about as well any coach could ask for in his first
postseason run to Santa Clara. Great run game, passing attack and
"Dark Side" defense manhandling opponents.

Darnold's testament to never giving up on your dreams inspired every
young boy or girl watching Sunday night. When people write you off and
push the narrative of "good kid, doesn't have the football IQ teams
need." This was his time to make it count and maximize every
opportunity. Hoisting the Lombardi Trophy as confetti fell, it was a movie
script with an heartwarming conclusion.

What's funny is Darnold became the first quarterback in league history
to have played for five teams and win a Super Bowl. The
aforementioned teams after Sunday night were punching air; particularly
Minnesota who won 14 games in 2024 and pushed Darnold out the door
in favor of JJ McCarthy. His story to redemption after being another
castaway quarterback found a home and team who believed in him.
Having coaches, players, front office management and ownership who
said: "Sam Darnold, we believe you can take us where we haven't been
since 2014. We've got a great defense that's old-school, punch you in
the mouth. An elite running back and wide receiver; plus a young
defensive minded head coach."

The signing paid off and now Seattle won their second Super Bowl in
franchise history. With some big checks to write and try keeping
everyone on board, it's going to be a good five to seven seasons for this
resurgent franchise. Adding the right pieces around Darnold to compete
each season is what they'll continue. You either stay hungry or become
content with being known for one Super Bowl title.

It's safe to say Seattle will be among the NFC favorites in returning to
Super Bowl 61; as their division rival Los Angeles Rams will host it
February 14, 2027 at SoFi Stadium. Can they make it two for two in
2026? The quest for a repeat starts in April during offseason workouts
and minicamps leading to training camp. All of these questions and
more will be answered in the coming months.