Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is heading to 2026 Super Bowl LX, and while he might not have the exotic car collection of Patrick Mahomes or Tom Brady, he’s got one of the most memorable automotive stories in NFL history.
Picture this: December 2018, a rookie quarterback walks out to the parking lot after practice, ready to head home in his Toyota SUV. But there’s a problem – his car is sitting on blocks with both front wheels completely gone.
Seven years later, that same “simple guy” who drove a Toyota is now heading to the biggest game in football. Talk about a redemption story!
Sam Darnold’s life association with four-wheeled vehicles includes an awesome Toyota 4Runner, a Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadster, and a couple of private golf carts.
But who is this quarterback heading to the Super Bowl, and what does he drive now?
Who Is Sam Darnold?
Sam Darnold played college football at the University of Southern California (USC), where he became one of the most highly-touted quarterback prospects in the country. During his time with the Trojans, Darnold threw for over 7,200 yards and 57 touchdowns in just two seasons as a starter.
“Sam Darnold’s most prominent statistic is becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to win at least 30 games (specifically, 14+ with the 2024 Vikings and continued success with the 2025 Seahawks) in his first season with a new team”.
He led USC to a thrilling Rose Bowl victory over Penn State in 2017, throwing for 453 yards and 5 touchdowns in that game alone. After that historic win, Darnold celebrated during Rose Bowl week by visiting Disneyland’s California Adventure, where he was photographed riding in one of the custom-designed vintage collector cars from the Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters exhibit in Cars Land.
Sam Darnold was celebrating at Disneyland, driving a custom-designed mini supercar modeled after Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters attraction from Cars.
The bright orange Italian-style roadster from the fictional town of Radiator Springs was just one of several vehicles Darnold rode in during the Rose Bowl parade festivities – a fitting celebration for a quarterback who had just put on one of the greatest performances in Rose Bowl history.
His college success led to Darnold being selected as the 3rd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. After three seasons in New York, he moved to the Carolina Panthers (2021-2022), then briefly joined the San Francisco 49ers (2023) as a backup.
His big break came with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, where he had a breakout season, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. That performance caught the attention of the Seattle Seahawks, who signed him in March 2025 – and now he’s taking them to the Super Bowl.
Congratulations to Sam Darnold on His Recent Engagement!
Before we dive deeper into Darnold’s car collection, we have to mention some exciting personal news. Congratulations to Sam Darnold for recently getting engaged to Katie Hoofnagle!
This is no sideline show; this is Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold dropping to one knee and asking his girlfriend, Katie Hoofnagle, for her hand in marriage before thousands of roaring NFL fans
The couple announced their engagement on July 7, 2025, with a beautiful beach proposal in Dana Point, California. Katie, a marketing specialist and former USC soccer player, shared photos on social media with an excited “YES!!!!!”
Katie graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2020 with a degree in marketing and a minor in nutrition. She and Sam went Instagram-official in June 2023, and they’ve been spotted supporting each other at games and events ever since. Sam has praised Katie’s support, saying it’s “unbelievable” and noting that she understands the demands of his career since she’s a former athlete herself.
“We wish them both well in their upcoming marriage and continued success together!”
Now, Back to the Cars
Though Sam Darnold isn’t known for having a large collection of exotic supercars like some other NFL quarterbacks, he has been associated with a few interesting vehicles over his career. Since he’s relatively new to Super Bowl-level success and maintains a more modest lifestyle than other quarterbacks, he doesn’t quite have the car collection of other signal-callers we’ve talked about before.
For instance, Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes – another Super Bowl champion quarterback – owns a stunning collection that includes a Ferrari 812 Superfast valued at over $330,000, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan worth $330,000, and a Genesis GV80 (thanks to his endorsement deal). See our full article on Patrick Mahomes’ Ferrari-themed car collection.
Patrick Mahomes features his first Ferrari 812 for his favorite daily drive.
Then there’s the legendary Tom Brady, whose collection includes a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport worth over $3 million, a Ferrari valued at $300,000, a Rolls-Royce Ghost, a Tesla Model S, and an Aston Martin DB11. Check out Tom Brady’s complete car collection here.
LA Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford isn’t far behind, owning a Bentley Continental GT, a Ferrari 812 Superfast, an Audi R8, and a Rolls-Royce Cullinan. See Matthew Stafford’s impressive car collection.
Matthew Stafford’s car collection includes a beautiful black Rolls-Royce Wraith, a Ford F-150 utility truck, a Ferrari 488, an Audi Q3 family car, a sporty Bentley Continental, and a luxury Range Rover.
Even Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow – known for being more low-key like Darnold – owns a Lordstown Endurance EV truck and a Batmobile replica he got as a gift. Read about Joe Burrow’s unique car collection.
Cincinnati’s Joe Burrows Car Collection Includes and New EV Lordstown Truck and a Exotic Porsche Taycan
And don’t forget Aaron Rodgers, who owns a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible (his Super Bowl MVP prize), a Ford F-150 Limited Edition, and even a custom Aston Martin golf cart with a pink fuzzy steering wheel – a gift from his offensive linemen after he bought them $20,000 Polaris ATVs. See Aaron Rodgers’ unusual car collection here.
So where does Sam Darnold fit into all this?
The Toyota 4Runner SUV – And The Infamous Wheel Removal
The most famous vehicle in Sam Darnold’s car collection isn’t famous for what it is – it’s famous for what happened to it.
Back in December 2018, during Darnold’s rookie season with the Jets, he made the mistake of giving his offensive linemen Christmas gifts that didn’t quite match expectations. Remember, this was a guy with a fully guaranteed $30.25 million rookie contract, so the O-line had higher hopes.
Today’s 2026 Toyota 4Runner features a rugged new design with an available i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain, a 14-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a signature power rear window.
Their revenge? They completely removed both front wheels from his Toyota SUV and left it sitting on blocks in the parking lot at the Jets’ Atlantic Health Training Center.
Jets safety Jamal Adams captured the whole prank on video and posted it to Instagram, showing Darnold’s vehicle propped up and helpless. The linemen – center Corey Linsley, guards Spencer Long and James Carpenter, and tackles Kelvin Beachum and Brandon Shell – clearly felt the gifts didn’t measure up.
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To our knowledge, Darnold owned this Toyota SUV for several years. While we don’t know the exact model (it could have been a 4Runner, Highlander, or another Toyota SUV), what we do know is that Darnold apparently learned his lesson about generosity to the guys protecting him on Sundays!
Here is QB Sam Darnold in a Toyota commercial, but he’s not blazing a new trail — Brock Purdy, Eli Manning, and Jordan Love were already starring in Toyota spots before him.
The incident perfectly captures Darnold’s personality – even with millions in the bank, he was driving a practical Toyota, not a Ferrari or Lamborghini like many other first-round NFL picks.
The Injury Golf Cart Ride (August 2022)
Not Sam Darnold’s favorite ride, that’s for sure. Here’s Sam being carted off the field during a preseason game with the Carolina Panthers against the Buffalo Bills in August 2022. After suffering a high ankle sprain, Darnold had to be helped into a custom Panthers-branded golf cart by medical staff for transport back to the locker room.
“Not the kind of four-wheeled ride Sam Darnold prefers – being carted off the field after a high ankle sprain in August 2022.”
The photo tells the whole story – helmet still on, leg extended, surrounded by concerned teammates and medical personnel. It’s a scene NFL fans know all too well: when your quarterback leaves the field on a golf cart, it’s never good news.
Sam definitely likes carting around on golf courses (more on that in a second), but this particular four-wheeled ride? Yeah, he’d probably like to forget this one. The good news is Darnold recovered from the injury and continued his NFL journey through San Francisco, Minnesota, and eventually landing with the Seahawks for his Super Bowl run.
Golf Course Golf Carts – Darnold’s True Love
But here’s where it gets interesting – Sam Darnold is a serious golfer. And when you’re a serious golfer, you spend a lot of time in golf carts!
In July 2025, Darnold competed in the American Century Championship, a celebrity golf tournament held at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Nevada. He finished in 46th place, showing he’s got some legitimate golf skills beyond just being an NFL quarterback.
Now THIS is the kind of golf cart ride Sam Darnold prefers – cruising the course with friends, not being carted off the field with an injury.
Darnold is regularly spotted on golf courses with his best friend, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. The two were in the 2018 NFL Draft together (Allen was picked 7th overall, just four spots after Darnold at 3rd), and they’ve remained close ever since.
The duo has appeared in Bob Does Sports golf videos together, along with Kyle Allen, showcasing their golf games and personalities. Golf analysts have even broken down Darnold’s swing, noting he has an excellent form for a professional athlete.
In April 2025, Darnold and Allen attended The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, living every golfer’s dream of watching the world’s best compete at one of golf’s most prestigious venues.
So while Sam Darnold might not own a custom Aston Martin golf cart, he’s certainly logged plenty of hours in standard golf carts both on NFL practice fields and on golf courses across the country!
The “Simple Guy” Philosophy
Back in 2018, when Darnold was just entering the NFL, he gave an interview where he described himself as a “simple guy” who wasn’t planning to spend lavishly on things like jewelry or exotic cars. He mentioned he “might drive a nice car,” but clearly he wasn’t thinking Bugatti or Ferrari.
That philosophy seems to have stuck with him through his NFL journey. Unlike quarterbacks who immediately upgrade to supercars upon signing their rookie deals, Darnold chose practicality with his Toyota SUV.
Even now, as he heads to 2026 Super Bowl LX with the Seattle Seahawks, there’s no public information about Darnold owning a garage full of exotic vehicles. He seems to maintain that same low-key, practical approach to his automotive choices.
Of course, with a new Super Bowl contract likely coming and his recent engagement to Katie Hoofnagle, that could all change. But for now, Sam Darnold remains one of the few NFL quarterbacks heading to the Super Bowl without a flashy car collection to match.
What Cars Might Sam Darnold Buy After Super Bowl Success?
Given Darnold’s practical nature and his growing success, here are some vehicles that might fit his personality and status as a Super Bowl quarterback:
- Toyota Land Cruiser – Staying with the Toyota brand but upgrading to their luxury flagship SUV ($90,000+)
- Lexus LX 600 – Toyota’s luxury brand, offering the reliability he likes with premium features ($130,000+)
- Genesis GV80 – Following Patrick Mahomes’ lead with a luxury SUV from a rising brand ($60,000-$80,000)
- Ford F-150 Raptor – A practical yet powerful truck, perfect for someone who values function over flash ($80,000+)
- Tesla Model X – An electric SUV that’s environmentally conscious and tech-forward ($80,000-$100,000)
With his wedding to Katie coming up and potential family planning on the horizon, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Darnold choose something practical, spacious, and reliable – very much in line with his “simple guy” roots.
Sam Darnold’s Net Worth and Earnings
Sam Darnold has earned significant money throughout his NFL career. His rookie contract with the Jets was worth $30.25 million fully guaranteed. After bouncing around the league, his breakout 2024 season with the Vikings led to a lucrative deal with the Seahawks in 2025.
His current net worth is estimated to be around $25-30 million, with career earnings exceeding $40 million from NFL contracts alone. That doesn’t include endorsement deals or other income sources. Source: Yahoo Sports
If the Seahawks win Super Bowl LX, Darnold’s value – and potentially his car collection – will skyrocket even further.
In Conclusion
Sam Darnold’s car collection might not rival Patrick Mahomes’ Ferraris or Tom Brady’s Bugatti, but his automotive story is just as interesting. From the infamous wheel-removal prank with his Toyota SUV to his countless hours in golf carts (both on NFL fields and golf courses), Darnold has maintained his “simple guy” philosophy even as his NFL career has taken off.
Now, as he prepares for Super Bowl LX with the Seattle Seahawks and plans his upcoming wedding to Katie Hoofnagle, one thing is certain: whether he’s driving a Toyota or sitting in a golf cart at Augusta National, Sam Darnold’s journey from rookie hazing victim to Super Bowl quarterback is one for the ages.
Will Super Bowl glory finally convince him to add a Ferrari or Lamborghini to his collection? Only time will tell. But knowing Sam Darnold, he’ll probably stick with something practical, reliable, and perfect for a round of golf with Josh Allen.
ALSO SEE: MORE FOOTBALL QUARTERBACK CAR COLLECTIONS
👉 LA Rams Quarterback Matthew Stafford Has Quite The Car Collection
👉 Cincinnati Bengals Joe Burrow’s New Car Collection
👉 Tom Brady’s New Car Collection Includes a Ferrari, Rolls Royce, Bugatti, Tesla & More…
👉 Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers Car Collection Includes Some Very Unusual Finds
👉 Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes New Car Collection – 2021
👉 Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa New Car Collection Includes Some Expensive Family Gifts
