JSN Defends Sam Darnold from Critics 'Talking S--t' After Seahawks Clinch No. 1 Seed

The Seattle Seahawks are feeling themselves after clinching the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba had some pointed words for critics of his quarterback Sam Darnold.

After Saturday's 13-3 win over the San Francisco 49ers that also gave the Seahawks their first NFC West title since 2020, Smith-Njigba declared that any remaining doubters of Darnold have been silenced.

"Everybody's been talking s--t," he said, per The Athletic's Michael Silver. "Everybody. Let me tell you something: Sam led us today. He was everything that we needed. It was awesome to be out there with him. I play for my teammates. And I love playing for 14."

Darnold was efficient as he led Seattle's offense in a defensive struggle against San Francisco, throwing for 198 yards on 20-of-26 passing with no turnovers. The Seahawks totaled 180 rushing yards in the victory while holding the 49ers to just 53 yards on the ground and limiting quarterback Brock Purdy to 127 yards and an interception on 19-of-27 passing.

▶️ Full Seahawks-49ers Recap

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Darnold has enjoyed a career resurgence since spending the 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings, and he now joins the legendary Tom Brady as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to ever have back-to-back 14-win seasons. He was selected to his second straight Pro Bowl, but he's certainly motivated to lead Seattle on a deep playoff run.

Darnold and the Seahawks will now get to sit back and watch as the last Sunday of the 2025 season plays out, and they will surely enjoy their first-round bye before getting back to action in the Divisional Round of the postseason.