When the Seahawks take the field at Super Bowl LX this Sunday, all eyes will be on their quarterback, Sam Darnold.
But few fans are noticing a curious twist: Darnold is one of two former Vikings quarterbacks who could potentially be involved in the game.
While Darnold will start for Seattle, the Patriots’ quarterback situation carries a hint of Viking history as well.
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Patriots signal-caller Drake Maye has been sidelined at times in the Super Bowl build-up due to a right shoulder injury and illness. While the team is optimistic he will be ready for the game, the NFL is full of surprises, and backup Josh Dobbs would be the one to step in if necessary.
Dobbs‘ story is an intriguing footnote for Vikings fans. In 2023, he joined Minnesota midseason after Kirk Cousins went down and Jaren Hall suffered an injury.
Less than a week after arriving, Dobbs threw for three touchdowns in a dramatic win over Atlanta, followed by 268 yards and two more scores in a victory over the Saints.
His brief heroics earned him the nickname “The Passtronaut,” though he was eventually replaced by Nick Mullens as the Vikings stabilized their quarterback situation.
Ironically, Dobbs‘ short stint with Minnesota may have indirectly contributed to the team’s current quarterback difficulties. Those two surprise wins helped the Vikings finish 7-10, rather than potentially 5-12 or 6-11, lowering their draft positioning.
That meant they were stuck at No. 11 instead of having a chance to trade up for a top prospect. Instead, Minnesota drafted J.J. McCarthy as the fifth quarterback off the board-a choice that has yet to pay dividends after a rocky debut season.
Meanwhile, Darnold, who had signed a one-month bridge deal with the Vikings, helped them win 14 games and reach the playoffs, though his season ended with disappointing performances in the postseason.
When the Vikings let him walk in free agency, their backup situation behind McCarthy remained unsettled.
In contrast, Darnold has thrived in Seattle, leading the Seahawks to 14 wins again and putting together a career-defining performance in the NFC Championship Game against the Rams. Now he is just one game away from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
The NFL’s small-world quarterback network
Sunday’s game underscores just how interconnected NFL quarterback stories can be. Darnold‘s journey from Minnesota to Seattle, Maye‘s injury uncertainty, and Dobbs‘ brief but memorable Viking stint all intersect in a single Super Bowl narrative.
Dobbs could conceivably be on the field if Maye can’t go-or even if he enters due to an injury during the game-turning the contest into an unofficial reunion of sorts for former Vikings quarterbacks.
The scenario also highlights how pivotal small moments can be in the NFL. A couple of unexpected wins, a midseason signing, and the timing of injuries all cascade to create entirely new storylines.
For Darnold, it’s the culmination of years of preparation and opportunity. For the Vikings, it’s a reminder of what could have been had the backup situation been managed differently.
And for those following the Vikings’ influence from afar, Sunday is a chance to see former players, Darnold and potentially Dobbs, make their mark on football’s biggest stage.
