USC's Sam Darnold to be first Trojan QB to start Super Bowl

Darnold's winding path from Jets and Panthers castoff to Seahawks starter gives USC football program a historic moment.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 2:23pm

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When Sam Darnold takes the field for the Seahawks in Super Bowl 2026, he will become the first USC quarterback to start the big game. Darnold's journey to this point has been winding, as he struggled as a Jets and Panthers castoff before resetting his career as a 49ers backup and then ascending in Minnesota and Seattle. This historic moment for the USC football program comes after decades of producing top NFL quarterback talent.

Why it matters

USC has long been known as a quarterback factory, producing stars like Matt Leinart, Carson Palmer, and Mark Sanchez. But the school has never had a quarterback start the Super Bowl. Darnold's achievement is a point of pride for the university and highlights the continued pipeline of elite signal-callers coming out of the Trojans' program.

The details

After struggling with the Jets and Panthers early in his career, Darnold signed with the 49ers as a backup in 2024. He impressed in that role, earning a starting job with the Vikings in 2025 before being traded to the Seahawks last offseason. Now in his first year as Seattle's starter, Darnold has led the team to the Super Bowl, where he'll have a chance to cement his legacy and that of the USC quarterback lineage.

  • Darnold was hired as the 49ers backup in 2024.
  • Darnold became the Vikings' starting QB in 2025.
  • Darnold was traded to the Seahawks in the 2025 offseason.
  • Darnold will start Super Bowl 2026 for the Seahawks on February 2, 2026.

The players

Sam Darnold

A USC alumnus who is set to become the first Trojan quarterback to start a Super Bowl, after a winding journey that included stints with the Jets, Panthers, 49ers, and Vikings.

Clay Helton

The former USC head coach who oversaw Darnold's time as the Trojans' starting quarterback from 2015-2017.

Matt Barkley

A USC quarterback who started for the Trojans from 2009-2012, part of the school's rich history of producing top NFL talent at the position.

Carson Palmer

A USC quarterback who was the first overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft and went on to have a successful pro career, defining an era of Trojans QBs.

Mark Sanchez

A USC quarterback who was a first-round pick of the Jets in 2009 and started a Super Bowl, though he did not come from the Trojans' program.

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What they’re saying

“Gives you goosebumps to think about Sam Darnold being the first USC quarterback to start a Super Bowl. That program has produced so many great players at that position.”

— Clay Helton, Former USC Head Coach

What’s next

Darnold and the Seahawks will face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 2026 on February 2, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.

The takeaway

Sam Darnold's journey from Jets and Panthers castoff to Seahawks Super Bowl starter is a testament to his resilience and the continued pipeline of elite quarterback talent coming out of the USC program. This historic moment for the Trojans will be celebrated by the university and its passionate fanbase.