Sam Darnold signed three-year $100.5 million contract ($55M guaranteed, $32M signing bonus) after Minnesota revival season.
Seattle operates with NFL’s lowest-paid roster at $173.8M Top 51 despite $17.6 million current flexibility.
Leonard Williams leads active charges at $15.04M after three-year $64.5M extension made him defensive centerpiece under Mike Macdonald.
Seahawks shoulder $67.4 million dead money (second-worst NFL behind 49ers’ $81.3M) from Russell Wilson trade ($32M), Geno Smith trade ($8.4M), and DK Metcalf deal ($22M). Next-season projection shows $74.7M available space enabling aggressive free agency.
Seattle Seahawks player biography and net worth information available for complete roster.
| Quarterbacks (QB) | Running Backs (RB) | Wide Receivers (WR) |
| Sam Darnold | Kenneth Walker III | Jaxon Smith-Njigba |
| Sam Howell | Zach Charbonnet | Cooper Kupp |
| Jaren Hall | Kenny McIntosh | Marquez Valdes-Scantling |
| George Holani | Jake Bobo | |
| Connor Williams | Cody White | |
| Dareke Young | ||
| Steven Sims | ||
| Tyrone Broden |
Darnold’s Career Resurrection Rewarded
Twenty-eight-year-old quarterback earned $100.5M deal after 35 TD, 12 INT Vikings season. His structure features $37.5M Year 1 with team options for 2026 ($31.5M) and 2027 ($31.5M) enabling Seattle flexibility if performance declines.
| Player | Position | Cap Hit | Contract AAV | Through |
| Leonard Williams | DL | $15.04M | $21.5M | 2027 |
| Noah Fant | TE | $13.41M | $10.5M | This season |
| Sam Darnold | QB | $13.4M | $33.5M | 2027 (team options) |
| Uchenna Nwosu | LB | $11.84M | $19.4M | 2027 |
| Cooper Kupp | WR | $9.35M | $15.3M | 2026 |
| Devon Witherspoon | CB | $8.69M | Rookie year 3 | 2026 |
| DeMarcus Lawrence | EDGE | $7.68M | Trade acquisition | This season |
| Jason Myers | K | $6.82M | $5.28M | 2026 |
| Charles Cross | LT | $6.8M | Rookie year 4 | 2027 |
| Julian Love | S | $6.11M | $10M | 2027 |
Darnold’s $32M signing bonus creates $13.4M current charge demonstrating back-loaded structure.
His career arc from Jets bust (#3 overall 2018) to Vikings revelation earned $30M net worth through $65M career earnings projecting $165M+ if completing Seattle deal.
Williams’ extension converted $18.745M salary to bonus freeing $14.06M immediate cap space. His 11 sacks and Pro Bowl performance validated three-year commitment establishing defensive line anchor under new coaching regime.
Dead Cap Crisis From Trade Decisions
Seattle shoulders $67.4M penalties representing 24.1% of ceiling. Wilson trade ($32M combined across seasons), Smith deal ($8.4M), Metcalf trade ($22M) create historic burden yet maintain NFL’s highest projected next-season space.
Wilson Legacy: March 2022 Denver trade generated two first-rounders, two seconds, three players yet created $39M dead cap. His Broncos disaster ($85M total dead) plus Seattle penalties demonstrate worst-case mega-deal scenario.
Metcalf Decision: November 2024 Pittsburgh trade received two firsts plus third yet triggered $22M penalty. His $30M AAV Steelers contract demonstrates market value Seattle couldn’t accommodate under restructure constraints.
Smith’s April Raiders trade cost third plus seventh yet saved $34.2M versus $42.6M original charge. His $40M current cap hit for Las Vegas validates Seattle’s cost-cutting despite QB productivity loss.
Darnold’s $30M Net Worth Journey
Twenty-eight-year-old built wealth through comeback narrative. His Jets tenure ($30.2M rookie contract), Carolina stint ($18.9M), 49ers backup ($4.5M), Vikings prove-it ($10M) created foundation before Seattle windfall.
| Player | Est. Net Worth | Career Earnings | Contract Path |
| Sam Darnold | $30M | $65M+ | Jets to Seahawks |
| Leonard Williams | $25M-$35M | $125M+ | Giants to Seahawks |
| Cooper Kupp | $30-40M | $78M Rams + Seahawks | Trade acquisition |
| Devon Witherspoon | $8M-$12M | $23.1M earned | #5 overall pick |
| Uchenna Nwosu | $15M-$22M | $42M+ | Chargers FA |
Witherspoon’s $31.86M rookie contract ($20.17M signing bonus) provides elite cornerback value at $8.69M current charge. His #5 overall 2023 selection creates extension candidacy entering fifth-year option decision with $15M+ AAV projected.
Kupp’s March trade from Rams cost fourth-round pick absorbing $9.35M current charge versus original $29.78M LA burden. His 657-yard Seahawks debut demonstrates production justifying affordable veteran acquisition filling Metcalf void.
Next Season Cap Explosion
Seattle projects $74.7M available space (third-most NFL) enabling aggressive free agency. Darnold’s team option ($31.5M) decision determines spending allocation while dead cap declines to $28M creating financial reset.
Extension Priorities: Devon Witherspoon (fifth-year option looming), Charles Cross (extension eligible after fourth season) creating $30M+ combined commitments.
Dead Cap Relief: Wilson ($0 next year), Smith ($2.1M remaining), Metcalf ($7.3M) elimination frees $60M+ cumulative charges enabling sustainable roster construction.
FAQs
Who is Seattle’s highest-paid player?
Leonard Williams carries $15.04M current charge through three-year $64.5M extension ($43.85M guaranteed). His Pro Bowl performance and 11 sacks validate defensive centerpiece investment under Mike Macdonald’s scheme.
What is Sam Darnold’s contract worth?
Darnold signed three-year $100.5M deal ($55M guaranteed, $32M signing bonus) featuring $37.5M Year 1 earnings. Team options for 2026-2027 enable Seattle exit after single season if performance regresses following Vikings revival.
How much dead cap do Seahawks have?
Seattle shoulders $67.4M dead money (second-worst NFL) from Russell Wilson trade ($32M), Geno Smith deal ($8.4M), DK Metcalf trade ($22M). Penalties decline to $28M next season enabling financial recovery despite current burden.
What is Sam Darnold’s net worth?
Darnold’s $30M wealth stems from $65M career earnings spanning Jets, Panthers, 49ers, Vikings, Seahawks. His comeback narrative from #3 bust to $100.5M contract projects $165M+ total if completing Seattle deal establishing generational security.
