What happened: Player ballots put Darnold in the top quarter of the 2026 list. The Seattle Seahawks quarterback appeared at No. 72 in 2025.
Why it matters: The 51-place rise follows Seattle’s franchise-record 14-win season and Super Bowl title. Darnold also earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection.
By the numbers: Darnold has nine fourth-quarter or overtime game-winning drives since 2024, the most in the NFL. His 21 games with a passer rating of at least 100 over that span rank second.
What to watch: Seattle begins its preseason schedule Saturday, Aug. 15, as preparations shift to the 2026 campaign.