Sam Darnold hopes to 'do something very, very special' as Seahawks' new QB

Once the Seattle Seahawks traded quarterback Geno Smith, Sam Darnold saw his opening.

The Seahawks introduced Darnold on Thursday after he signed a three-year deal he agreed to earlier in the week. The contract is worth $100.5 million, and Darnold will make $37.5 million this season.

“Obviously heard the Geno news, when that broke I knew that this could potentially be a spot for me,” said Darnold, who wore an unbuttoned flannel shirt to his introductory news conference.

Smith was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders last week. He threw for 4,320 yards and 21 touchdowns with 15 interceptions last season for the Seahawks, who missed the playoffs.

The 27-year-old Darnold reunites with new Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. The two worked together in 2023, when Darnold backed up Brock Purdy with the San Francisco 49ers.

“I think we have an opportunity to do something very, very special here, but it's going to take a lot of hard work — and we know that going in,” Darnold said. “Very excited to take this one day at a time, and that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to put my head down and go to work.”

The Seahawks are the fifth team for Darnold, who was drafted third overall out of Southern California by the New York Jets in 2018 but struggled during three seasons with the Jets and two with Carolina. After pulling backup duty with the Niners, he had a breakthrough in his only season with Minnesota, throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 TDs while posting a 102.5 passer rating and leading the Vikings to 14 wins.

“The thing about Sam that really sticks out is he’s an A-plus teammate,” said Kubiak, who was the Niners' passing coordinator when Darnold was there. “He elevates those around him and guys he plays with respect him because your best players are your hardest workers, that’s what you really strive for. It’s what you want as a coach and Sam has that in spades.”

Darnold will be the centerpiece of a new-look offense after the departures of Smith and receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Third-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who had 100 catches in 2024, should be Darnold's top target.

Darnold has a strong arm and the confidence to fit throws into tight windows. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell harnessed Darnold's aggressiveness, and the Seahawks hope to do the same.

“You definitely feel Sam's presence, poise, competitiveness, accuracy, the downfield threat, that's certainly a part of it,” Seattle coach Mike McDonald said. “Then to be able to run the show operationally, Sam can do it with the best of them, as well.”

Metcalf, a two-time Pro Bowler who was drafted by the Seahawks in 2019, went to the Pittsburgh Steelers. A fan favorite, Metcalf expressed his gratitude to Seattle in an Instagram post.

“From the city to the organization to the 12s — you’ve been more than just a fanbase. You’ve been family. You’ve given me so much, including the chance to play the game I love alongside some incredible men who will forever be my brothers. To my teammates — you’ve pushed me, believed in me, and let me be me both on and off the field...much love always,” Metcalf wrote.

In other moves, the Seahawks signed veteran receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to a one-year deal. He played in eight games last season with the Saints, with 17 catches for 385 yards and four touchdowns.

The Seahawks also added longtime Dallas Cowboys edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence on a reported three-year deal. A four-time Pro Bowler, Lawrence played just four games last season because of a right foot injury. Over 11 seasons, he has 61 1/2 sacks.

Seattle also signed offensive lineman Josh Jones on Thursday.

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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold speaks during an introductory press conference Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the NFL football team's facilities in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, center, poses for a photo with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, left, and head coach Mike Macdonald, right, during an introductory press conference Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the NFL football team's facilities in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, center, speaks as offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, left, and head coach Mike Macdonald, right, listen during an introductory news conference Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the NFL football team's facilities in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold arrives for his introductory press conference Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the NFL football team's facilities in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The U.S. military conducted a rapid response exercise involving Marines and military aircraft in Venezuela’s capital Saturday, over four months after the ouster of then-President Nicolás Maduro.

Two Marine Corps Osprey aircraft, which have characteristics of both a helicopter and a fixed-wing airplane, flew over the recently reopened U.S. Embassy in Caracas. They landed in the parking lot with the downdraft blowing tree branches. Forces then descended from the aircraft.

“Ensuring the military’s rapid response capability is a key component of mission readiness, both here in Venezuela and around the world,” the embassy said on Instagram.

Venezuela’s government had announced the drill earlier this week. Foreign Minister Yván Gil said the U.S. would conduct the exercise to prepare “in the event of medical emergencies or catastrophic emergencies.”

The drill comes almost two months after the U.S. formally reopened its embassy in Caracas. The reopening followed the restoration of full diplomatic relations with the South American country after Maduro 's ouster in early January.

Some Caracas residents Saturday gathered near the embassy to watch the aircraft, while a few dozen others gathered elsewhere in the city to protest the exercise. Protesters held a Venezuelan flag with the message “No to the Yankee drill” written over it.

U.S. military aircraft last flew over Caracas on Jan. 3, when elite forces rappelled down from helicopters and captured Maduro and his wife. Both were taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges. They have pleaded not guilty.

U.S. Embassy holds emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

U.S. Embassy holds emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

U.S. Embassy holds emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

A soldier looks down from a military aircraft as the U.S. Embassy holds an emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

U.S. Embassy holds emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)