Sam Darnold Sends ‘Incredible’ Message on Seahawks OL Before Rams Game

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold did not hesitate when asked why he has only been sacked 10 times in nine games this season. He immediately pointed to the big guys up front, calling the Seahawks’ offensive line “incredible” as the team prepares for a high-stakes divisional showdown against the Los Angeles Rams, he said in a recent press conference.

The former Pro Bowler praised not just his linemen, but the entire protection and run-blocking operation, saying the group’s work has helped stabilize the offense heading into Week 11 of the 2025 season.

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Sam Darnold Calls Seahawks Offensive Line ‘Incredible’ Before Rams Showdown

Darnold’s media session started with plenty of respect for the opponent. He described the Rams as having a “great defense” that is near the top of the league in forcing turnovers and “punching the ball out,” the kind of unit that can wreck a game if a quarterback holds the ball too long.

When a reporter noted he had been sacked only 10 times in nine games, Darnold quickly turned it into a love letter to his blockers.

“Our offensive line is playing incredible,” Darnold said, adding that tight ends and running backs have also been “doing a great job” in protection, while receivers are getting open on time.

He made it clear he sees himself as part of that equation, too, emphasizing his responsibility to work through progressions and “get the ball out” so the line isn’t asked to hold up forever.

Darnold later circled back to the front’s impact on the run game. He noted that without the kneel-downs at the end of the first half in their most recent win, Seattle would have finished with more than 200 rushing yards, crediting the offensive line, running backs, tight ends, receivers and fullback Robbie Ouzts for “blocking their tails off.”

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Inside Darnold’s Plan vs. a Turnover-Happy Rams Defense

Darnold repeatedly framed this as a “tough divisional game” and a major challenge for the Seahawks offense, largely because of how the Rams play on defense. He pointed to their ability to generate pressure with four or five rushers and tie it together with disciplined coverage on the back end.

“They like to mix it up,” he said, noting that Los Angeles will sprinkle in different pressure looks on top of their base rush. That reality is shaping his approach going into Sunday.

Darnold stressed a few points of emphasis.

Being deliberate with his reads. He talked about going through progressions with purpose and knowing where his answers are against specific coverages.

Handling “messy” pockets. When the pocket starts to collapse, he wants to be quicker to check the ball down or throw it away instead of forcing a throw late.

Protecting the ball late. With several Seahawks games this year coming down to the final minutes, Darnold acknowledged that avoiding turnovers in crunch time is a major focus.

The quarterback also admitted that playing with a defense performing at Seattle’s current level gives him “a lot of comfort,” but he insisted that can’t change how he plays.

He said he’ll keep pushing himself and the offense, while ball security remains “a huge point of emphasis” coming out of last week and into this matchup with a Rams team that thrives on takeaways.

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Darnold Also Raves About Cooper Kupp’s Work Ethic & Leadership

The offensive line wasn’t the only group to get glowing reviews from Seattle’s quarterback.

Asked what wide receiver Cooper Kupp has meant to the team since arriving in Seattle, Darnold didn’t hold back. He called Kupp “incredible” and said the veteran’s work is “unlike anyone else” he has ever been around.

Darnold described Kupp as a “huge fit” in the offense because of everything he can do on the field, a “very important piece” of what the Seahawks are building, and a catalyst in “bringing these guys together” and helping unify the locker room.

The comments add another layer to Kupp’s first meeting against his former team, with the Seahawks set to visit the Rams in Los Angeles in Week 11.

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What It Means for Seahawks-Rams & the NFC West Race

There’s more riding on this week than just a reunion or a nice quote about the offensive line.

The Seahawks head into the Rams game at 7-2, matching Los Angeles atop the NFC West standings and setting up one of the biggest games of the NFC schedule so far.

Darnold, in his first season in Seattle after signing a three-year, $100.5 million deal in free agency, has been labeled by national analysts as “playing like a top-five quarterback” through the first 10 weeks of 2025. Seattle’s ability to keep him upright — and continue leaning on a surging run game — is a huge part of why.

Against a Rams defense that can generate pressure and rip the ball out at any moment, Darnold’s praise of his “incredible” offensive line is more than just a compliment. It’s the foundation of Seattle’s game plan and, potentially, its NFC West title hopes.

If the Seahawks’ front can hold up again, and Darnold can pair his cleaner pockets with the careful decision-making he preached at the podium, Seattle will have every chance to walk out of Los Angeles with control of the division — and give the offensive line one more reason to enjoy the spotlight they are suddenly getting from their quarterback.

And, who knows, maybe the MVP conversations about Darnold will grow. 

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