Dez Bryant’s lack of confidence in Sam Darnold is costing him a Rolex, as he lost a bet with his fellow ex-Cowboys star DeMarcus Lawrence.
Bryant revealed a profanity-laced text exchange at the beginning of the season in which the former wide receiver voiced his misgivings about Darnold’s ability to lead the Seahawks to the Super Bowl.
Darnold did just that on Sunday, as Seattle bested the Rams 31-27 in the NFC Championship and will face the Patriots in Super Bowl 2026
Lawrence, who signed a three-year, $42 million contract with Seattle in the offseason, strongly pushed back with conviction against Bryant at the time, insisting that the former Jets signal-caller “ain’t going to turn the ball over” and the Seattle defense is going to “take the league by storm.”
Bryant was all-in on the Seahawks defense but would not let go of his doubts in journeyman Darnold, questioning the quality of the team’s receivers compared to throwing to superstar Justin Jefferson with the Vikings last season.
For Bryant, Darnold was still going to have to “make me a believer.”
That’s when Bryant thanked Lawerence for the conversation and offered up the gift if he and he Seahawks to prove him wrong. The two didnt overlap in Dallas as Bryant wore the star from 2010-17 and Lawrence from 2019-2025.
“I pray you stay healthy … ball the f–k out … you guys make it to the Super Bowl … I’ll buy you a Rolex for doubting you lol,” Bryant wrote.
The Seahawks ended up being one of the bigger surprises this season as they went 14-3 and were the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Darnold threw for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
He saved his best performance of the season for Sunday’s game, as he went 25 of 35 passing for 346 yards and three touchdowns. Jaxson Smith-Njigba was a was go-to target all year for Seattle had 10 catched for 153 yards and a touchdown.
All the Seatle offense and some help from a few Rams mistakes have the Seahawks packing their bags for Levi’s Stadium and Bryant ready to shell out for a new watch for Lawrence – maybe to go with a Super Bowl ring.
