Seahawks QB Sam Darnold Takes Responsibility for Season Opener Loss to 49ers

Sam Darnold, recently signed by the Seattle Seahawks with a $100 million contract, made his debut as the team's starting quarterback in a narrow 17-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Despite the defeat, offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak praised Darnold's performance and expressed optimism about his continued improvement, noting strong protection from the offensive line and key plays late in the game. Darnold himself took responsibility for a critical mistake in the final minute, where he held the ball too long under pressure from 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa, resulting in a fumble that sealed the Seahawks' loss. Analytics from Pro Football Focus ranked Darnold fourth among quarterbacks that week, highlighting his ability to find the right receivers and make accurate throws, with several incompletions attributed to drops or miscommunications. Throughout the game, Darnold generally demonstrated quick decision-making and effective ball release, which had also been noted during training camp. The Seahawks and their new quarterback are looking to build on this effort as they prepare for their next game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.