The Sam Darnold Question That Has Every 12 Wondering Early This Season

Alright, Hawks fans, we're officially in the grind of the regular season, and the energy around Lumen Field is electric, right? We've got our new signal-caller, Sam Darnold, under center, and you know we're watching every single snap, every decision, every throw like our season depends on it. Because, let's be real, it kinda does! As we dive headfirst into this early part of the schedule, there's one question buzzing louder than a packed stadium on Sunday: how exactly has Darnold historically stacked up against our division rivals, specifically the Arizona Cardinals?

The Burning Question for Our Guy

You see, we're all trying to get a read on Darnold. What's his ceiling with Mike Macdonald and Brian Fleury leading the charge? What kind of rhythm is he building with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp? Every early game is a data point, a chance to see our guys gel. And when it comes to the Cardinals, that history, that track record, it matters. We're looking for any hint, any clue, any past performance that tells us what to expect when those critical NFC West matchups roll around. The question of how Sam Darnold has done against the Cardinals hangs in the air, a key piece of the puzzle we're all trying to solve as this team finds its early-season form. It's not just about one game, it's about setting the tone for our division battles all year long.

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Keeping Tabs on the Other Birds in the Desert

While we're locked in on Darnold, a true 12 always keeps an eye on the rest of the NFC West, right? Especially those Cardinals down in the desert. Their news cycle is already gearing up for their opener, with talk remembering their 1984, 1985, and 1986 seasons. They’re making headlines too, using their team plane for a great cause by flying athletes and coaches to Special Olympic games. That's a good look for any organization. On the field, though, things sound like they're in flux for them. There's a lot of chatter around a potential player named Brendan Sorsby. Analysts are saying they should target him, but maybe not go all in. Some think they might have a shot at Sorsby for less than you'd expect, and he's apparently among their favorites. An insider even gave a projection for Sorsby in the supplemental draft, but then there's also talk he has little hope to make the roster for them. With three starting jobs on offense up for grabs for the Cardinals, and discussions about their pass catchers' expected production in 2026, it seems like they're still figuring things out on their side of the ball. They're also finalizing joint practice details with the Packers and have a rookie under pressure. We also know a game-wrecking pass rusher just re-signed with a Cardinals opponent, which just goes to show how tough this division can be. And apparently, their 2026 opponent is one of the teams under the most pressure this season. All this noise around our rival just makes us want to know even more about how our guy, Darnold, handles them.

So, what's next for our Hawks? Every week is a chance to prove what we're made of. We're building something special here in the Emerald City, with new leadership and fresh faces making their mark. We're all looking forward to watching Sam Darnold continue to get comfortable, lead our offense, and ultimately give us those definitive answers against division opponents like the Cardinals. Go Hawks!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.