Sam Darnold has the Seahawks believing as he works to master the mundane

Sam Darnold wants to be consistent. This can take many forms, but for the 28-year-old Seattle Seahawks quarterback, achieving that goal requires mastering the part of his job that might seem boring to anyone attending training camp in hopes of seeing several long touchdown passes.

Whether in seven-on-seven drills or team periods, Darnold spent most of the first two practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center scanning the field, assessing the coverage coach Mike Macdonald had deployed, then taking a short completion underneath.

Darnold can make every throw accurately to all three levels of the field. His Pro Bowl season with the Minnesota Vikings last year was proof of that. His final two games with the Vikings — a Week 18 loss with the No. 1 seed on the line and a lopsided defeat in the wild-card round of the playoffs — illustrated where Darnold needs to grow. For him, growth is less about big-time throws and more about being fast and decisive and living to see another down.

Darnold discussed this in a post-practice news conference Thursday, saying a recurring theme in the quarterback room is the importance of “listening to my feet.”

“If my first read is not there, check it down,” he said. “There’s no reason to sit in the pocket a little longer because I think something might open up. Especially on first and second down, I’m just getting to the checkdown and (moving) on.”

Doing so consistently is something Darnold said he’s better equipped to do in his eighth season than he was earlier in his career. His familiarity with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s wide-zone, play-action-based scheme also helps.

“Playing within the system, it’s built so that you’re throwing concepts on certain hitches,” Darnold said. “If I take a seven-step drop and I hitch one time, I’m supposed to be throwing a certain route. If I hitch again, I shouldn’t be throwing that route anymore.

“It’s all timing-based. When we say, ‘Listen to our feet,’ that’s what we mean by that. If we’re hitching two or three times on a longer route, usually it should be going down to a checkdown.”

Seattle’s top decision-makers believe Darnold can take them to the promised land, which is why they signed him to a three-year deal worth $100.5 million after trading away Geno Smith. Every practice, offensive meeting and film session is about Darnold instilling that same belief in his new teammates. Darnold’s first impression was a strong one.

“From what I’ve seen from Minnesota and OTAs, it seems like he’s going to be a great quarterback for us,” receiver Cody White said.

Earlier this month, Darnold invited his skill players to train with him in California. Several players attended, including Cooper Kupp, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jake Bobo, John Rhys Plumlee, Eric Saubert, AJ Barner and White. They hung out for a few days and had throwing sessions at Oaks Christian. The former might be more important for their team chemistry than the latter, White said.

“Getting to know the person, I feel like that’s the biggest part of getting together and doing things like that,” said White, who has been with the team primarily as a practice squad player since 2023.

Saubert signed with Seattle this offseason after a free-agent visit that outlined a promising vision for the offense and his role within the scheme. The 31-year-old tight end spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers, who run a similar offensive operation. Saubert was also with Kubiak and the Denver Broncos during the 2022 season. He said he has heard nothing but good things about Darnold from those who have spent time with him on other teams. Flying over from Denver to work out was a perfect opportunity to spend quality time with his new QB1.

“I learned more about Sam and his process and how he prepares for games, and I’m not going to let someone like that down, you know?” Saubert said. “That’s my friend. I trust him, and he’s going to trust me. … It’s kind of nuanced, but it means a lot when you care about the guys you’re playing with.”

During minicamp in June, Darnold said he’s not much of a vocal leader. Organizing the workout in California is an example of how he plans to lead the charge and establish a rapport with his teammates.

“When you understand each other off the field, that only helps the chemistry on the field,” Darnold said.

Barner said Darnold gave off “quarterback vibes” during their time together.

“Business on the field and leadership off of it,” said Barner, who might be the team’s new No. 1 tight end now that Noah Fant has been released. “There was no going out; we had a good dinner. Not that I’d be against (going out), but it was a good time. I’m glad we did that.”

As Darnold has shown his teammates more of who he is as a person and a player, their faith in him has grown.

“Sam’s been phenomenal,” Barner said. “Really takes the time to get with the guys. He’s open about communication back and forth about what you see. His timing is really something I’ve really taken notice of and think he’s very, very good at. When he hits his drop and when he sees it, the ball is going to be out before you’re out of your break. I’m really excited to work with him.

“He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league, no doubt about it. We’re going to show it this year.”

Last year, Darnold practiced every day against the fourth-best defense in the league by points allowed per drive. In Macdonald’s first year, the Seahawks were fifth by that same metric, and they’re returning nearly every starter and rotation player from that unit (the most notable change is replacing Dre’Mont Jones with DeMarcus Lawrence). Macdonald’s defense is constantly testing quarterbacks in practice with post-snap rotations, blitzes and disguises.

“Whenever you can go up against a defense (that) good schematically, combined with the great players we have on defense, it’s going to help us,” Darnold said.

Darnold was picked off once and came close to throwing a second interception during Thursday’s practice. Riq Woolen undercut a crossing route and snagged a pass intended for Elijah Arroyo, but the ball bounced off the cornerback’s hands and was hauled in by the rookie tight end for a short gain. Later in the team period, Darnold tried to throw a ball deep over the middle toward Smith-Njigba, but it was robbed from underneath by safety D’Anthony Bell.

Darnold has otherwise looked sharp through two training camp practices, which is to be expected in padless practices. Seattle will soon practice in pads, and Darnold and the entire offense will be easier to evaluate in full. But with or without pads, Darnold’s consistency in his decision-making will determine whether he can lead the Seahawks to the playoffs and make a run.

“You want to make every play possible, but you want to make the right play,” he said. “That’s how I’m going to challenge myself this training camp.”