Also new to the team is Klint Kubiak, an offensive coordinator who runs a system similar to Kevin O’Connell — the head coach of the Vikings. That’s one of the reasons Darnold was seen as a fit in Seattle as soon as Smith was traded.

Early reports indicated that the Seahawks could easily get out of the Sam Darnold contract after the first season. Turns out those early reports were wrong.

The Seahawks are entering into a new era for the fourth time under general manager John Schneider, and one with veteran journeyman Sam Darnold at the helm. Seattle is gambling $37.5 million dollars that the Darnold we all saw in Minnesota last year was the real deal, and Macdonald seems to share in this belief.