Jim Zorn

Sam Darnold's having a monster 2025 season, but let's pump the brakes on coronations. Darnold's operating in an era of wide-open passing rules and elite receiving talent—Zorn threw for 21,115 yards in an era when defenses could actually breathe on quarterbacks. Zorn was the Seahawks' inaugural starter in 1976, won NFC Rookie of the Year, and owned every franchise passing record for years. Different eras, different games—both excellent for their time.

Jim Zorn's not in Canton, and frankly, it's one of those Hall of Fame debates that'll never get settled. He threw for 111 touchdowns and led the Seahawks to relevance immediately, but his 67.3 passer rating and the era's competition level work against him. He's in the Seahawks Ring of Honor, which is its own kind of immortality in Seattle.

I don't have current 2026 information on Zorn's activities in the search results provided. To give you accurate details about his current work in broadcasting, business, or charitable endeavors, I'd need more recent sources. What I can tell you is his coaching legacy—he developed Hall of Famers like Matt Hasselbeck and Joe Flacco—suggests he's remained connected to football.

Zorn would've been fascinating in today's pass-happy NFL. Modern rules would've erased the defensive mugging he endured, and his 2,571 passing yards as an expansion rookie in 1976 suggests elite processing. But his 67.3 rating indicates accuracy issues that wouldn't disappear with rule changes. He'd be better, probably significantly—but not a star.

Hasselbeck's the superior quarterback, and the numbers tell the story. Hasselbeck's 85.1 rating with the Seahawks beats Zorn's 67.3 decisively. Hasselbeck threw for 3,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, matching Zorn's durability, but with better efficiency. Both defined the franchise at different eras, but Hasselbeck was the more complete player.