Sam Darnold explains why Seahawks was perfect team to join in free agency: 'Special place'

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For the first time in his career, Sam Darnold sat down in NFL free agency with options to be a starting quarterback. 

Despite a disappointing finish in the playoffs, Darnold's career-best season with the Minnesota Vikings earned him the right to get a big payday. It was just a matter of where – not if. 

While it is a great feeling for any player in professional sports to have that opportunity in free agency, making the right choice is not easy. There are many factors, personal and professional, that go into a player deciding to choose a different team. 

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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, #14, throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

However, when the Seattle Seahawks traded veteran signal caller Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, speculation began immediately. Could Darnold be heading to Seattle? 

He was thinking the exact same thing with his agents at Creative Artists Agency. 

"I was looking at my free agent options and talking with my agent about it, and then all of a sudden, we hear the news that Geno [Smith] was getting traded," Darnold explained to Fox News Digital, while discussing his work with the Lowe's Foundation for SkillsUSA National Signing Day. "And that was kind of like, ‘OK, Seattle could be a potential spot.’ 

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"When I just found out about the mutual interest that both sides had in getting a deal done, that was something that was really important for me.