Sam Darnold’s journey to NFL fame, marked by a series of ups and downs and now a comeback story that continues to improve, is an absolute modern-day underdog tale. Born on June 5, 1997, he grew up in Capistrano Beach, California, and football wasn’t introduced to him on a silver platter; instead, he fought for every single opportunity that he took in his career. He was an undersized quarterback in high school. Even in college, people questioned the size and strength of Darnold’s arm. However, it was his determination and dream to play in the NFL that turned his doubters into believers, and he became a standout name at the University of Southern California (USC).
Sam Darnold’s NFL journey: USC standout to Seahawks star, 2025 NFL season, Pro Bowl success and chemistry with Jaxon Smith-Njigba
In 2018, Sam Darnold was drafted third overall by the New York Jets, and his early years were full of rookie mistakes and turbulent changes. Darnold stopped playing for the New York Jets in 2020, and in the following months, the Carolina Panthers traded him in 2021. In 2023, Darnold signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent and played as a backup for one season. In 2024, the Minnesota Vikings signed him, and it was the beginning of Darnold’s most glorious phase in the NFL. It was in this phase that he was selected for his first Pro Bowl.
In 2025, Sam Darnold joined the Seattle Seahawks in March 2025, and he has been thriving under Mike Macdonald so far. He has already thrown 663 passing yards with four touchdowns in the first three games of the season. What’s interesting is that he has been commanding the Seahawks’ offence like a seasoned leader. Along with Jalen Milroe and Drew Lock, he has been the starting quarterback for the Seahawks in the NFL 2025 season. Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s partnership, along with their kind words about each other off the field, have also shown that Seahawks players are closely knit.
Who is Sam Darnold’s fiancee, Katie Hoofnagle? Seattle Seahawks QB’s girlfriend is among the NFL’s most stunning and hottest WAGs
Moving on to Sam Darnold’s personal life, he is engaged to a stunning lady named Katie Hoofnagle. The Seattle Seahawks quarterback’s longtime girlfriend is often considered by many as one of the most stunning WAGs in the NFL. Time and again, we have seen Darnold and Katie breaking the internet with their cutesy pictures and goofy PDAs on social media. Apart from making people drool over their mesmerising pictures, Katie and Darnold’s relationship serves as an inspiration for many people, including celebrity couples. The way Katie cheers for Darnold from the stands and how the Seahawks QB never misses a chance to credit her for all his success, they’re surely a match made in heaven.
Sam Darnold and Katie Hoofnagle’s love story: Surprise beachside proposal and a dreamy engagement
According to several reports, Sam Darnold and Katie Hoofnagle reportedly crossed paths for the first time in 2023, when the NFL quarterback was playing for the San Francisco 49ers. However, it was on Darnold’s 26th birthday, on June 5, 2023, when Katie “hard-launched” their relationship by posting on social media. After which, she started appearing at Darnold’s games, which was an indicator enough that the two were in love. In the following months, Katie and Darnold began attending awards nights together, confirming that they were a couple.
Finally, it was on June 6, 2025, when Katie Hoofnagle wrote, “I love you,” to her boyfriend, Sam Darnold, in her birthday note for the NFL quarterback on his 28th birthday. The cutesy note left everyone adoring them with “happy tears”. In the following month, on July 5, 2025, Sam popped the question to Katie at the famous Dana Point in California, and she said, “YES”. Afterwards, the couple got engaged in an intimate beachside ceremony attended by their closest friends and family. As expected, Katie and Darnold’s engagement pictures went viral on social media in no time.
Sam Darnold’s fiancee, Katie Hoofnagle, is a former soccer player, who now works as an account executive in a software technology firm
Regarding the profession of Sam Darnold’s fiancée, Katie Hoofnagle, she currently works as an account executive at Renvio, a software technology firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. However, not many people are aware of the fact that Katie is a former soccer player, who used to play for the University of South Carolina. Due to his brief journey as an athlete, she understands her fiancé, Darnold’s, professional commitments. We hope Katie and Darnold continue to set the bar high for everyone with their efforts in their relationship.
What are your thoughts on Sam Darnold and Katie Hoofnagle’s beautiful love story? Let us know.
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