Sam Darnold: Fiancée, Salary, and 2025 Seahawks Stats

Sam Darnold keeps getting second chances in the NFL because when he’s on, he can look like a franchise quarterback. But his story isn’t just about stats and contracts—it’s also about his personal life, including his fiancée Katie Hoofnagle, and what led him from the Vikings to the Seahawks.

Current Team: Seattle Seahawks ·
Age: 28 (born June 5, 1997) ·
Height/Weight: 6’3″, 225 lb ·
2025 Passing Yards: 4,048 (5th in NFL) ·
2025 Touchdowns: 25

Sam Darnold’s 2025 season with Seattle saw him throw for 3,850 yards and 25 touchdowns, earning him a deal that made him one of the league’s highest-paid quarterbacks for 2025.

Who is Sam Darnold’s Fiancée?

Sam Darnold’s fiancée is Katie Hoofnagle, a model and influencer known for her work with Charlie’s Angels. The couple got engaged in July 2025, according to The Spun (NFL gossip and news site). They first publicly shared their relationship in 2023.

What is Katie Hoofnagle’s Background and Career?

• Katie Hoofnagle is a model and social media influencer.
• She has been featured in campaigns for Charlie’s Angels.
• The couple’s engagement was revealed in July 2025.

Does Sam Darnold Have Any Children with Katie Hoofnagle?

As of 2025, Sam Darnold and Katie Hoofnagle have no reported children together. There is no public record of Darnold having children from previous relationships either.

Which NFL Player Has 14 Kids?

Former Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander has 14 children, but this fact is unrelated to Sam Darnold.

The pattern: Darnold’s relationships have remained private, with the engagement marking his most public personal milestone.

What is Sam Darnold’s Salary?

Sam Darnold signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks in March 2025, according to Over the Cap (salary cap database) and Sports Illustrated (sports news outlet). The deal includes $55 million guaranteed. His 2026 salary cap charge is $37.9 million, with a cash payout of $27.5 million. He received a $32 million signing bonus.

What is the lowest paid NFL QB?

The league minimum salary for a quarterback in 2025 is $1.75 million for players with 0-2 years of experience. Darnold’s $33.5 million annual average makes him one of the highest-paid QBs, far above the minimum.

Sam Darnold contract details

The contract includes performance bonuses: $500,000 each for reaching 4,000 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, a 67.5% completion rate, or a 100 passer rating, according to Sports Illustrated. If all four benchmarks are hit, Darnold earns an extra $2 million. A division title adds another $1 million. The second-year salary is $27.5 million with a $17.5 million injury guarantee; the third year is non-guaranteed at $35.5 million.

The implication: Darnold’s 2025 performance will determine whether he earns the full $100.5 million or becomes a one-year rental. With $55 million already guaranteed, he’s set for life regardless.

Why is Sam Darnold Leaving the Vikings?

Sam Darnold left the Minnesota Vikings after the 2024 season because his contract expired. The Vikings had drafted J.J. McCarthy in 2024 and also had Nick Mullens on the roster. Darnold was given a chance to start for part of 2024, but the team chose not to re-sign him as they committed to McCarthy. He signed with the Seahawks on March 13, 2025.

Do Vikings regret letting go of Sam Darnold?

Publicly, the Vikings have not expressed regret. Darnold’s 2025 performance with Seattle—3,850 yards, 25 touchdowns, 67.2% completion rate, 99.2 passer rating—has been strong, but the Vikings decided to move forward with their young quarterback. Whether they regret it depends on McCarthy’s development.

Is Sam Darnold a top 5 QB?

Statistically, Darnold ranked 5th in passing yards in 2025 (4,048), but analysts at Sports Illustrated note his 14 interceptions and inconsistency keep him out of the elite tier. He’s a mid-tier starter with upside.

The pattern: Darnold is a productive starter who benefits from system and weapons, but his decision-making under pressure remains his biggest weakness—and the reason he’s on his fifth team.

What to Know About Sam Darnold’s Fiancée Katie Hoofnagle

Katie Hoofnagle is a model who has worked with the Charlie’s Angels brand and maintains a strong social media presence. She and Darnold began dating in 2023 and got engaged in July 2025. A The Spun article noted that Hoofnagle drew attention at Super Bowl 60 events. She does not appear to have a high-profile career beyond modeling.

What does Sam Darnold’s wife do for a living?

While they are not yet married, Katie Hoofnagle works as a model and influencer. She has not publicly disclosed specific brands or campaigns beyond Charlie’s Angels.

The trade-off: Darnold gains a partner who understands the spotlight, but the engagement also brings added public scrutiny—something that can be a distraction during a contract year.

Sam Darnold Biography and Stats

Sam Darnold was born June 5, 1997, in Dana Point, California. He attended USC, where he played college football from 2014 to 2017. He declared for the 2018 NFL Draft and was selected 3rd overall by the New York Jets.

Sam Darnold age

28 years old (born June 5, 1997).

Sam Darnold college

University of Southern California (USC).

Sam Darnold height

6 ft 3 in (1.91 m), weight 225 lb (102 kg).

These physical specs place him in the prototypical NFL quarterback mold.

The implication: Darnold’s physical tools are prototypical, but his career has been defined by inconsistency across five NFL stops. His 2025 stats are career highs in many categories, suggesting he’s still improving.

The pattern: Darnold has never stayed with a team longer than three seasons, making the Seahawks his fifth stop in eight years.

“Excited to be here. This is a great organization with a great fan base. I’m ready to compete and help this team win.”

— Sam Darnold, press conference after signing with Seahawks (via Sports Illustrated (sports news outlet))

“Sam Darnold’s contract is a bet on his upside. If he plays like a top-10 quarterback, the Seahawks got a bargain. If he regresses, they can walk away after one year.”

— NFL Network analyst, quoted by Over the Cap (salary cap database)

“We’re so excited for this next chapter together. Seattle feels like home.”

— Katie Hoofnagle, social media post (via The Spun (NFL gossip site))

The consequence for the Seahawks is clear: they either get a franchise quarterback on a reasonable deal, or they cut bait after one season having paid $37.5 million. For Darnold, the 2025 season is his best chance to prove he’s more than a bridge starter—and secure the remaining $63 million on his contract.