Sam Darnold is officially a Top 25 quarterback in the NFL, snagging the No. 21 spot on the recently unveiled 2026 Top 100 list. Our guy, the Seahawks QB1, is finally getting the respect he has earned, and the league is paying attention after some serious early-season magic. This isn’t just a number; it’s a statement, and it tells you everything you need to know about the trajectory of our Hawks this year.
Darnold Climbs the Ranks, Shocks the League
Let’s talk about that No. 21 ranking for Sam Darnold. That’s a massive jump and shows just how much our QB1 has elevated his game. He’s now ahead of big names like Jared Goff at No. 33, Dak Prescott at No. 31, and even former MVP Lamar Jackson, who landed at No. 69. To see Darnold cracking the Top 25 is huge for the Emerald City. It shows the new system under Coach Macdonald and OC Brian Fleury is clicking, and Darnold is thriving. This ranking isn’t some analyst’s hot take, it’s a testament to his performance on the field that clearly resonated with the voters.
JSN’s First Nod and the National Picture
It’s not just Darnold turning heads, either. Our young weapon, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, secured his first-ever NFL Top 100 ranking! While his specific number is still under wraps in the full list, the fact that JSN is already on this prestigious list means the league knows what we’ve known since day one: this dude is a problem for defenses. Imagine the firepower with Darnold slinging it to JSN, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp. This offense is cooking! Elsewhere on the list, we saw Patrick Mahomes at No. 18 and Matthew Stafford, the Rams’ QB, all the way up at No. 4, showing the competition is stiff at the top.
What This Means for Our Season Ahead
With 97 of the 100 spots already unveiled, the anticipation for the final three names is real. But for us, the biggest news is right here. Seeing Darnold at No. 21 and JSN getting his first Top 100 nod early in the 2026 regular season sets a serious tone. It signals that the Seahawks are no longer just an intriguing team; they’re a team with legitimate, nationally recognized talent leading the charge. Get ready, 12s, because if these guys keep playing at this level, we’re in for one heck of a ride. Let’s see them put these rankings to the test in our next game and prove they’re even better than the list says!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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