FOX Sports Host Draws Criticism for Darnold Comparison Amid Super Bowl Run

Following a historic Super Bowl victory and a second consecutive 14-win season, Fox Corporation personality Jason McIntyre has reignited debate regarding the performance of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold. During a recent broadcast of “The Herd,” McIntyre doubled down on previous skepticism, comparing the championship-winning QB to Trent Dilfer, a label that has drawn scrutiny given Darnold’s recent statistical output.

The contention arises from the stark contrast between Darnold’s 2025 campaign and the metrics typically associated with “game manager” archetypes. While the 2000 Baltimore Ravens relied heavily on a dominant defense during Dilfer’s tenure, Darnold contributed 4,038 passing yards and 25 touchdowns this season. By comparison, Dilfer recorded 1,502 passing yards and 12 touchdowns across eight starts during his Super Bowl season. Darnold also joins Tom Brady as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to post consecutive 14-win regular seasons.

McIntyre’s comments follow earlier segments where he labeled the Seahawks a “fringe playoff team,” a prediction that proved inaccurate as the team secured the Lombardi Trophy. The Fox host pointed to Darnold’s two game-winning drives as evidence, dismissing the Thursday Night Football victory over the Los Angeles Rams as “fluky.” However, data from the NFC Championship highlights Darnold’s impact in high-stakes matchups against division rivals, where the Seahawks’ defense allowed significant yardage.

Shares of Fox Corporation were down 1.76% in afternoon trading, with the stock trading at $67.22. The company holds a market capitalization of approximately $29.57 billion and operates within the Communication Services sector, primarily through cable network programming and television segments that feature sports content like “The Herd.”

What to watch

• Upcoming NFL programming ratings for Fox Sports as the playoffs conclude.
• Fox Corporation’s quarterly earnings report for specific guidance on advertising revenue.

Source: original release