Sam Darnold net worth is something football fans are curious about. He has played as a quarterback in the NFL and has built a career through talent and hard work. After being a top draft pick, he has played for multiple teams, gaining experience and earning a solid income. His contracts, endorsements, and bonuses have all added to his wealth.
So, let’s take a closer look at how he makes his money and what has helped him build his career.
Sam Darnold in Brief
| Full Name | Sam Darnold |
| Date of Birth | June 5, 1997 |
| Place of Birth | Capistrano Beach, California, USA |
| Occupation | Professional Football Player (Quarterback) |
| Height | 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) |
| Weight | 225 pounds (102 kg) |
| Net Worth | $30 million |
Table of Contents
What Sam Darnold Net Worth?
Sam Darnold is an American professional football quarterback with an estimated net worth of $30 million. Most of his money comes from his NFL contracts. He was drafted third overall by the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL Draft, signing a $30 million rookie contract with a $20 million signing bonus.
His career has had some challenges, but he has still managed to secure major deals. After playing for the Jets, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers, where he earned $18.8 million in his final contract year.
In 2023, he signed a one-year deal worth $4.5 million with the San Francisco 49ers. Even as a backup quarterback, Darnold continues to add to his fortune.
Early Life
Sam Darnold was born on June 5, 1997, in Capistrano Beach, California, United States. He went to San Clemente High School, where he played multiple sports. In basketball, he was really good and won the South Coast League MVP twice. Coach Marc Popovich said Sam’s skills in basketball helped him in football. Sam could pass the ball 70 feet to a teammate while running. Coach even said he could have played college basketball at a top level.
In football, Sam played wide receiver and linebacker at first. After the starting quarterback got injured, Sam stepped in and threw a touchdown pass. He became the quarterback for good in his senior year. That season, he set a school record with five touchdown passes in a game, twice. He finished his senior year with 3,000 passing yards, 39 touchdowns, 800 rushing yards, and 13 rushing touchdowns. Sadly, his team lost in the CIF-Southern Section championship game when Sam got a concussion.
Sam Darnold was a four-star recruit in football, ranked as the 8th best dual-threat quarterback. He didn’t have much footage from camps, so his coach shared videos of Sam’s basketball games instead. Sam received scholarship offers from schools like Oregon and Utah. Eventually, USC offered him a spot on their team, which he accepted.
College Career
In the 2015 season, USC’s defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox wanted Sam Darnold to play linebacker. However, Darnold chose a different path. He spent his freshman year redshirting because he was behind Cody Kessler and Max Browne on the depth chart.
By 2016, Darnold was a redshirt freshman and the backup quarterback. He played in three games, completing 14 of 22 passes for 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. After USC started with a 1–2 record, Browne was benched. Darnold became the starting quarterback. In his first start against Utah, Darnold threw for 253 yards and ran for a touchdown, but USC lost.
After that, the Trojans didn’t lose again that season. They won a huge game against the #4-ranked Washington Huskies. Darnold set records, including most passing touchdowns by a freshman with 26. He also rushed for 230 yards. Darnold was named the Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year.
In 2017, Sam Darnold entered his redshirt sophomore season as a Heisman contender. His season didn’t start perfectly, with multiple interceptions, injuries, and challenges. However, he led USC to a 42–24 win over Stanford and a dramatic overtime victory against Texas. Darnold guided USC to the Pac-12 Championship, where they beat Stanford 31–28. He was named MVP after throwing for over 300 yards and 2 touchdowns. Despite a strong performance in the 2017 Cotton Bowl, USC lost to Ohio State 24–7.
This rise to success made Darnold one of the top prospects for the 2018 NFL draft. He set many records and was recognized for his leadership and skill throughout these seasons.
USC’s 2017 Rose Bowl victory and 2017 Cotton Bowl are highlights of his college career. His impressive performances, including five touchdowns in the Rose Bowl, made him a standout player.
Professional Career
On January 3, 2018, Sam Darnold decided to enter the NFL draft. He was selected by the New York Jets in the first round as the third overall pick.
Sam Darnold signed a four-year deal with the Jets, worth $30.25 million, including a $20 million signing bonus. He made his debut in the preseason against the Atlanta Falcons, where the Jets won 17–0. On September 10, 2018, he started his first regular-season game on Monday Night Football against the Detroit Lions, where he led the Jets to a 48–17 victory despite an early interception.
During the season, Darnold faced some struggles but showed promise. He had a strong game in Week 5 against the Denver Broncos, throwing for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 34–16 win. However, he also suffered a foot injury, which kept him out for a few games.
Sam Darnold returned from a mononucleosis diagnosis and had a standout game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6, passing for 338 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 24–22 win. He helped the Jets improve their record and ended the season with 3,024 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
The Jets struggled, and so did Sam Darnold. He finished the season with 2,208 passing yards and 9 touchdowns. Despite his efforts, the Jets had a 2–14 record, and Darnold faced challenges, including a shoulder injury.
In 2021, Darnold was traded to the Carolina Panthers. He had a promising start, leading the Panthers to a win against his former team, the Jets. However, injuries slowed him down, and he ended the season with 2,527 passing yards and 9 touchdowns. His team finished 5–12.
Sam Darnold was the backup for the Panthers but got the chance to start in Week 12. He led the Panthers to wins over the Broncos and Seahawks, finishing the season with 1,143 passing yards and 7 touchdowns.
In March 2023, Darnold signed with the 49ers. He served as the backup quarterback and played in the final regular-season game against the Rams. The 49ers made it to the playoffs, but Darnold did not play much.
In March 2024, Darnold signed with the Minnesota Vikings. He became the starting quarterback after an injury to J. J. McCarthy. In his debut, Darnold threw for 208 yards and 2 touchdowns, leading the Vikings to a 28–6 victory over the Giants. He continued his strong play, including a career-high 377 yards and 3 touchdowns in Week 17.
Personal life
Sam Darnold’s mother is a physical education teacher at Shorecliffs Middle School. His older sister, Franki, played college volleyball at the University of Rhode Island. Darnold’s grandfather, Dick Hammer, was a Marlboro Man actor and an athlete at USC.
Darnold has a fun nickname, “GEQBUS” (God Emperor Quarterback of the United States). It’s a joke based on the title for the President of the United States.
Darnold is close friends with quarterbacks Josh Allen and Kyle Allen. They train together during the offseason.
Awards and Records
Sam Darnold achieved some major awards and records. In Week 6 of 2019, he was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week. He was also recognized as NFC Offensive Player of the Week in Week 14 of 2024 and NFC Offensive Player of the Month in September 2024. He was selected to the 2025 Pro Bowl and won the Pro Football Writers Association Most Improved Player award in 2024.
He holds several NFL records. He is the youngest quarterback to have a passer rating over 110, with a rating of 116.8 at just 21 years and 97 days old. He also became the first quarterback in NFL history to win 14 games in his first season with a team.
As for the Jets, he set records for the highest completion percentage by a rookie quarterback in a single season at 57.7%. He also holds the highest rookie quarterback rating, with a minimum of seven appearances, at 77.6.
With the Vikings, he set a franchise record for the highest passer rating in a game, reaching 157.9 against the Falcons in December 2024. He also had the most games with a passer rating of 100 or better in a single season, with 13 games in 2024.