Sam Darnold ended the 2025 season as a Super Bowl champion after leading the Seattle Seahawks past the New England Patriots. Rob Gronkowski still believes Darnold left plays on the field that could have changed the game.

Speaking on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams, the four-time Super Bowl champion and four-time First Team Pro discussed why Darnold still isn't part of the NFL's top-10 quarterback conversation.

"I'm not trying to take anything away from Sam Darnold, but also in the Super Bowl, he (Darnold) missed two or three throws where it could have been an absolute blowout in that Super Bowl game," Gronkowski said.

Gronkowski specifically referenced a missed opportunity to hit Jaxon Smith-Njigba after the receiver got behind the defense. He also brought up a deep pass intended for Smith-Njigba that Christian Gonzalez caught up to and tipped away.

"...If he (Darnold) put those (throws) right on the money, I would say he would be talked about in that conversation,” Gronkowski said on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams' podcast on September 3.

Darnold finished the Super Bowl 19-of-38 for 202 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Seattle’s defense controlled most of the game, and the Seahawks led 12-0 entering the fourth quarter. Darnold finally connected with AJ Barner for a 16-yard touchdown.

Darnold’s overall season was much stronger. Darnold threw for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while earning his second straight Pro Bowl selection. He helped Seattle finish 14-3 before winning three playoff games.

Darnold was once labeled a bust after the New York Jets selected him No. 3 overall in 2018. His turnaround has been substantial.

Gronkowski isn't the only one questioning how Darnold is viewed around the league.

Skip Bayless defends Sam Darnold after ESPN ranking

Darnold is also entering his title defense with questions about how the league views him. ESPN’s preseason Top 100 Players ranking placed the Seahawks quarterback at No. 100, a spot that drew a strong response from Skip Bayless.

Bayless acknowledged Darnold’s turnover issues but argued that the ranking overlooked what he accomplished over the previous two seasons.

“It is amusing to me that Sam Darnold ranks only 100th on ESPN's Top 100. I'm not the biggest fan - he did lead the NFL in turnovers last year. BUT HE WAS 31-7 AS A STARTER IN MINN AND SEATTLE LAST 2 YEARS, INCLUDING 3-0 IN LAST YEAR'S PLAYOFFS AND WINNING THE SUPER BOWL! 100TH???” Bayless wrote on X.

The ranking was based largely on expectations for the upcoming season rather than simply rewarding past accomplishments. That helps explain why Darnold made the list.

Still, Darnold has won 31 games as a starter over the past two seasons with Minnesota and Seattle. Another strong year would make it harder to dismiss his rise.

The Seahawks will begin their title defense with Darnold facing new expectations and the doubts that have followed him throughout his career.

Written by

Evince Das