A Recent Reminder in Los Angeles

Fast forward to Sunday, Week 11 of the 2025 season. The Seattle Seahawks, now led by Darnold, faced the Los Angeles Rams in a critical NFC West clash at SoFi Stadium. With first place in the division hanging in the balance, the stakes were high. And as if fate were conspiring, the narrative from 2019 resurfaced in a moment of modern trash talk.

During a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua revived Darnold’s infamous line in a low-key but pointed jab.

“We had a big divisional game coming up this week,” Nacua explained. “Davante [Adams] was just like, ‘Man, it just feels like this is an emotional game for everybody.’ I’m like, ‘Hey, Tae, as long as we do our stuff on our side of the ball, they may be seeing ghosts out there on Sunday.’”

McAfee, recognizing the implication, exclaimed, “Jeeze!” The comment, playful yet biting, immediately circulated online, reigniting the “seeing ghosts” meme and adding fuel to what had already been a heated rivalry between the Rams and Seahawks.

Darnold’s Career and the Ghosts That Follow Him

Darnold’s journey since the infamous Patriots game has been a rollercoaster of triumph, struggle, and reinvention. Drafted third overall in 2018 by the Jets, Darnold carried immense expectations from Day One. Injuries, coaching changes, and inconsistent line play made his early career turbulent. Yet even during moments of promise, critics were quick to reference that one fateful “ghosts” night, framing his narrative as someone who falters under pressure.

The label followed him into a Wild Card playoff loss with the Minnesota Vikings last season. Despite an otherwise solid 2024 campaign, Darnold threw four interceptions against the Rams in the playoffs, tying a postseason record with nine sacks taken — a performance reminiscent of the struggles that had plagued him in New York. The Vikings’ front office opted not to re-sign him, leaving the Seahawks to take a calculated risk on the former top-3 pick.

For Darnold, the Seahawks represented both opportunity and redemption: a chance to prove that he could rise above the ghosts of his past and lead a team in a competitive NFC West. Through 2025, he had shown moments of brilliance, helping Seattle remain in playoff contention and keeping the division race alive.

Sunday’s Matchup: Opportunity Meets Reality

The Week 11 showdown between the Seahawks (7-3) and Rams (8-2) was framed as a potential division decider. Seattle entered the game confident, with Darnold leading an offense that had found rhythm despite injuries and inconsistencies. Los Angeles, meanwhile, relied on a well-coordinated defense led by Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, and a secondary anchored by Nacua and Davante Adams.

Unfortunately for Darnold, the ghosts of the past seemed to resurface. In a performance eerily reminiscent of 2019, Darnold threw four interceptions. Seattle had opportunities, and Darnold drove his team to potential scoring positions, but turnovers repeatedly stifled momentum. The Rams eked out a narrow 21-19 victory, leaving the Seahawks frustrated but still in contention in the division.

After the game, linebacker Ernest Jones IV stood up for his quarterback in front of the media:

“Sam’s been balling. If we want to try to define Sam by this game… Sam’s had us in every f—ing game. So for him to sit there and say, ‘Oh, that’s my fault, my fault,’ no it’s not. There’s plays we could have made, opportunities where we could have got better stops. It’s football, man. He’s our quarterback. We got his back. If you have anything to say, quite frankly, f— you.”

Jones’ defense exemplified a common theme among the Seahawks: Darnold’s leadership and playmaking ability remain respected despite high-profile mistakes. Teammates see the “ghosts” narrative as unfair, a media construct that fails to capture his growth and perseverance.

The Role of Media and Memory in the “Seeing Ghosts” Phenomenon

Darnold’s career illustrates the powerful interplay between media, memory, and athlete identity. A single unscripted comment, amplified across platforms, can become a defining narrative, often eclipsing hundreds of plays or seasons of otherwise competent football.

Social media users have never forgotten the 2019 mic’d-up clip. Every misstep in subsequent years is accompanied by screenshots, GIFs, and hashtags referencing “seeing ghosts.” While the phrase began as a private expression of frustration, it has become a lens through which critics evaluate Darnold’s performance in high-pressure moments.

Analysts note that the phenomenon is not unique to Darnold. Quarterbacks often bear the weight of narrative framing — from high school prodigies to Super Bowl champions — but Darnold’s situation is particularly striking because the phrase itself implies fear, hesitation, or mental blockage, creating an almost mythic burden to overcome.

Nacua’s Jab: Trash Talk or Motivation?

While many fans saw Puka Nacua’s comment as a low blow, others interpret it as part of the culture of NFL trash talk. Divisional games are heated affairs, and players often leverage psychological strategies to gain an edge.

For Darnold, the timing of the comment — after a week of preparation, in a media circuit designed to get under players’ skin — exemplifies the pressures quarterbacks face beyond Xs and Os. On-field performance intersects with narrative management, media scrutiny, and fan perception in ways that can affect confidence and public perception.

The Seahawks will have a chance to respond. The rematch is set for Week 16 in Seattle, and both teams understand the stakes. Darnold has publicly acknowledged the mental aspect of the game and the need to compartmentalize distractions. Analysts predict that the upcoming game could serve as a measure not just of skill but of psychological resilience.

The NFC West Stakes and Division Dynamics

The Seahawks-Rams rivalry is among the most competitive in the NFL. With both teams poised for playoff contention, every game carries consequences beyond wins and losses. A Seahawks victory in Week 16 could swing the division race dramatically, potentially positioning Seattle for a higher playoff seed.

For Darnold, the stakes are personal. Exorcising the “seeing ghosts” label is about more than public perception; it’s about reclaiming confidence, earning the trust of teammates, and silencing the lingering echoes of past failures.

Meanwhile, the Rams enter the rematch with their own pressures. Maintaining divisional dominance requires consistent defensive performance and a focus on limiting Darnold’s mobility and decision-making. Analysts suggest that the Rams’ defensive line will again test Seattle’s protection schemes, forcing Darnold to navigate both physical and psychological hurdles.

The Broader Implications for Darnold’s Legacy

Darnold’s path reflects a common tension in sports: the intersection of talent, opportunity, and narrative. Despite facing criticism and comparisons to past failures, he has demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and leadership. His career highlights — including playoff appearances and franchise milestones — often get overshadowed by viral moments like “seeing ghosts.”

Sports psychologists note that athletes frequently internalize external narratives, which can create self-fulfilling prophecy scenarios. For Darnold, acknowledging past mistakes, accepting criticism, and maintaining focus on preparation are essential tools for overcoming this kind of public scrutiny.

Seahawks coaches emphasize process over storyline, reminding players that one game does not define a season. For Darnold, the challenge is proving that he can perform under pressure while remaining mentally resilient against media-driven storylines.

Looking Ahead: Week 16 and Redemption

The rematch between Seattle and Los Angeles represents a chance for both closure and opportunity. Darnold can rewrite the narrative, turning past frustration into motivation. Fans, media, and analysts will undoubtedly watch closely, dissecting every throw, decision, and interception.

For the Seahawks, team cohesion and support will be critical. Players like Ernest Jones IV, who publicly defend their quarterback, play a key role in reinforcing confidence and maintaining morale. Similarly, coaches must balance accountability with encouragement, fostering an environment where Darnold can play freely without being paralyzed by past “ghosts.”

Should the Seahawks win, it could mark a turning point not just for the NFC West race, but for Darnold’s personal narrative — a story of redemption, resilience, and mastery over the shadows that once defined him.

Conclusion: Ghosts, Growth, and the Human Side of the NFL

Sam Darnold’s career has been defined by talent, adversity, and moments immortalized by media and social platforms. From the humiliating 2019 Monday Night Football loss against the Patriots to Sunday’s narrow defeat against the Rams, the specter of “seeing ghosts” persists. Yet Darnold continues to play at a high level, earn the trust of teammates, and maintain the composure required to lead a competitive NFL franchise.