Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald doesn’t sugarcoat Sam Darnold’s performance against the Broncos

The Seattle Seahawks are in crisis mode following another error-filled performance from Sam Darnold in the loss. Darnold is 1-3 as a starter since returning from his opening day glute injury, and the context of his interceptions is impossible to ignore and consistently detrimental to the game. His two interceptions in Seattle’s 17-14 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos were disastrous; the first pick was within range of the tying field goals, while the second pick led to Denver’s game-winning 8-yard field goal.

Darnold has thrown seven interceptions in four games, which would be good if he threw 16 touchdown passes, but alas, he has only thrown seven touchdowns.

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald isn’t normally one to openly criticize his players, especially not his starting quarterback. This was one of the few times this didn’t happen.

“It wasn’t a good enough performance to win the game,” Macdonald said, “you know, from our team, but the quarterback leads the team and I bet Sam will be the first to tell you that. We love him. It’s just what it is.

“We have to take care of the ball. Sam knows that, he told the team. We have to take care of the ball,” Macdonald also said in the post-match press conference.

“I just got greedy,” Darnold said of his second interception.

“That particular play, I should have handed it to (Cooper Kupp). Coop ran a really good route right under the sticks, and I feel like he would have caught it and gotten the first down. I just have to continue to follow my progression and trust him.

“It’s stupid for me to keep returning the ball,” Darnold also added. “It’s not fair to our defense. It’s not fair to our special teams. It’s really not far off for our entire team.

Indeed, Sam. Indeed. The offense as a whole has been bad, but Darnold’s play hasn’t been good enough and it starts with him. Even winning a Super Bowl isn’t enough to earn that much grace when mistakes are ruinous.