Sam Darnold’s personality clashes, dad jokes and chicken strips: Is he really Seahawks’ new alpha? | NFL News
The Seattle Seahawks’ locker room is buzzing not with strategy, but with sarcasm. Defensive players are talking trash like it’s game day, and quarterback Sam Darnold has become an unlikely lightning rod. Armed with dad jokes, a basic diet, and unexpected swagger, Darnold’s trying to lead but not everyone’s buying into his “alpha” energy just yet.
Sam Darnold’s leadership style faces real tests in Seattle
Sam Darnold is walking into his most critical NFL season yet, and he’s doing it in a Seattle Seahawks locker room that’s anything but quiet. The defensive unit hasn’t held back during offseason workouts, throwing verbal jabs and asserting early dominance but Darnold isn’t backing down.According to Seahawks safety Julian Love, the trash talk started on day one of OTAs and hasn’t slowed. “Guys are just talking s— every play,” Love shared. What surprised many was Darnold’s response — not aggressive, not passive, but uniquely his own. He’s fighting back with dad jokes, dry humor, and an easygoing energy that’s turned heads.“He’s not a square,” Love added. “He’s one of the guys. He’s cool with dishing back a bit.” While his comebacks may not be fierce, they reflect a quarterback comfortable in his skin — a far cry from the younger version of Darnold who struggled with expectations in New York and Carolina.Head coach Mike Macdonald sees it as a strength. He described Darnold as “just a dude,” a leader who doesn’t force his presence but naturally earns respect. “There’s some s— to him. Don’t mess with him,” Macdonald said, pointing to the competitive edge behind Darnold’s laid-back demeanor.Not all teammates are convinced. Star receiver Cooper Kupp recently poked fun at Darnold’s bland food preferences and poor golf game, joking that his meal suggestions sounded like something a child would order. “Basically, chicken strips and fries,” Kupp laughed. “That’s what my six-year-old eats.”The Seahawks signed Darnold after his solid 2024 stint with the Minnesota Vikings, hoping he could carry that momentum forward. But with rookie Jalen Milroe developing behind him and a team ready to compete, Darnold doesn’t have much room for error.Also Read: NFL Rumors: Cleveland Browns could trade Rookie QB Dillon Gabriel in strategic quarterback moveThis season is more than just another chapter in Darnold’s career, it could be the turning point. If he wins games and earns the locker room’s full respect, he solidifies himself as Seattle’s QB1.
