What happened: Darnold has played for five teams since 2020, but Seattle marks his first return engagement in that span. His offseason included exploring the city and building a local community of friends.
Why it matters: The quarterback ready to run it back with Seattle now leads the defending Super Bowl champions. The offense returns all but one starter, preserving much of the supporting cast from that title run.
By the numbers: Darnold threw for more than 4,000 yards with 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 2025. His three-year, $100.5 million contract includes $55 million guaranteed and carries a $37.9 million cap hit in 2026.
What to watch: Training camp and the preseason will test Darnold's adjustment to another offensive coordinator while expectations rise for the defending champions.