Pro Bowl Selections Highlight Seahawks’ Resurgence, Spark Quarterback Debate
SEATTLE, Dec. 25 – Tuesday’s Pro Bowl roster announcement served as a validation of the Seattle Seahawks’ ascent to the top of the NFC, with six players earning their spot among the league’s elite. It was a banner day for the franchise, seeing representation across the board with two offensive playmakers, three defensive stalwarts, and a special teams ace getting the nod. Yet, amidst the celebration of a roster rebuilt into a contender, the selection of quarterback Sam Darnold has ignited a firestorm of debate, turning a moment of recognition into a referendum on value.
Sam Darnold, now in his first season with Seattle, secured his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection. On paper, the choice seems logical for the quarterback of the conference’s top seed. Darnold has been the steady hand guiding an explosive offense, boasting a higher completion percentage and over 300 more passing yards than many of his peers. His connection with Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been particularly electric, helping propel the young receiver to the league lead in receiving yards a testament to Darnold’s ability to elevate the talent around him.
However, the selection was not met with universal acclaim. Critics have zeroed in on Darnold’s 18 turnovers and a QBR of 60.8, which ranks 12th in the league. The loudest voice of dissent came from ESPN insider Seth Walder, who argued that Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love was the rightful heir to the spot. Walder points to Love’s superior QBR (72.8, third in the league) and ball security as definitive proof that the Seahawks signal-caller is benefiting more from his surroundings than his own merit.
The controversy touches on a deeper narrative regarding the Seahawks’ identity this season. Walder’s critique culminated in a pointed remark suggesting Darnold is merely a passenger on a defensive-led team. This perspective, however, clashes with the reality of the season’s statistical landscape. While Seattle’s defense has indeed been formidable surprisingly so, given preseason expectations the offense has been a juggernaut in its own right.
Under Darnold, the Seahawks are averaging 29.5 points per game, the third-highest mark in the NFL, and rank sixth in passing yards. By contrast, Love’s Packers sit at 12th in scoring and passing efficiency, despite the offseason addition of superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons, which many pundits believed would give Green Bay the defensive edge. The narrative that Darnold is simply managing a defensive team ignores the fact that he is piloting one of the league’s most high-octane scoring units, improving significantly upon the foundation left by his predecessor, Geno Smith.
If only Love thought to play with an elite defense, he would have the Pro Bowl. – Seth Walder, ESPN
Walder’s comment is a direct challenge to Darnold’s agency in Seattle’s success. It implies that the quarterback’s accolades are a byproduct of team circumstance rather than individual performance, a stance that has riled the Seahawks faithful who view Darnold as the catalyst for their offensive explosion.
While the exclusion of defensive standout Byron Murphy II remains a sore point for fans, the Seahawks have little time to dwell on punditry. The Pro Bowl selections confirm that the roster is loaded with premier talent, but the debate around Darnold serves as a reminder: in the NFL, winning is the only metric that truly silences the critics. For now, Seattle’s offense is putting up the points to back up the accolades.
