Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold proved many naysayers wrong with their dominant Super Bowl 60 win over the New England Patriots. After he was released by the Minnesota Vikings following a 14-3 season, he ran it right back with Seattle — this time winning the Lombardi. His journey earned him many new fans and admirers, albeit to different extents.
What did this one famous analyst have to say about the situation?
Ex-LB Emmanuel Acho Slams Stephen A. Smith’s Take on Sam Darnold
Darnold earned the praise of analyst Stephen A. Smith with his Super Bowl run, as the media personality named him as one of the top three most talented quarterbacks in the NFC. The praise particularly stands out, as the conference also includes the likes of Matthew Stafford, Jalen Hurts, Jordan Love, and others.
Acho, a former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker, criticized Smith for making the claim based on talent, alluding to the distinction between talent and accolades.
“This take was stupid because the take undermined itself,” he said on ‘Speakeasy.‘ “He said, ‘If you’re talking about talent, now that he’s won a Super Bowl, I’m gonna put him at No. 3.’ How are you gonna say, ‘If you’re talking about talent,’ but then use his resume to elevate him? If you’re talking about talent, regardless of the Super Bowl, he should’ve been top-three. You can’t say, ‘If we’re talking about talent, now that he has an accolade, I’m going to move him above with the talented.”
.@EmmanuelAcho says Stephen A Smith was tripping by labeling Sam Darnold a top 3 QB in the NFC
“This take was stupid, because the take undermined itself”
WE ARE LIVE COMPARING SAM DARNOLD TO JALEN HURTS ➡️ https://t.co/f4H3dQB55c pic.twitter.com/v9tBFgucuE
— Speakeasy (@speakeasytlkshw) February 11, 2026
Acho weighed in on the “talent” debate of Smith, notably mentioning other quarterbacks over Darnold.
“Sam Darnold is not a top-three quarterback in the NFC,” he added. “Because if you talk about talent, then you have to go: Caleb Williams one or two, Matthew Stafford one or two, and then likely Jordan Love three — if you’re talking about talent. If you talk about resume, Matthew Stafford No. 1… Jalen Hurts No. 2… and then y’all can fight over No. 3. You can say Brock Purdy. You can say Dak Prescott… Sam Darnold.”
The Seahawks quarterback’s career noticeably took off once he got the start in solid systems. He started his NFL career with one of the worst teams of the 21st century, the New York Jets, where he was released after three years.
After a short trip around the league, he landed in the offensive-minded Kevin O’Connell’s offense, where he instantly went 14-3 as the starter. Thereafter, he took over the offensive genius of Klint Kubiak in Seattle.
Favorable situations have led many to call him a talented shot-caller. Nonetheless, the veteran has found success running some of the strongest offenses in recent years.
