Seahawks turn to veteran Lock after Darnold's early exit
Seattle's starting quarterback Sam Darnold left the season opener with a hip injury and was ruled out. Drew Lock, who has a 10-18 career record as a starter, took over for the remainder of the game. Lock last started regularly in 2024 with the Giants.
Lock's career has been a series of intermittent chances since entering the league in 2019. He showed early promise with Denver, winning four of five starts as a rookie, but a difficult second season pushed him into a long-term backup role. He has since served behind various starters for Seattle and New York.
His most recent regular-season starts came in 2024, highlighted by a four-touchdown passing performance against Indianapolis. During this year's preseason, he demonstrated sharp accuracy, completing over 80% of his attempts in two games. With Darnold sidelined, Lock now returns to a starting role, carrying a 10-18 record and a knack for orchestrating late scoring drives, such as his 2023 comeback effort for Seattle.
This sudden quarterback change could significantly impact the Seahawks' immediate competitive trajectory, as the team must adjust its offensive game plan to Lock's strengths. Fans and fantasy football players may see altered expectations for the team's passing attack. Additionally, Lock's performance could influence his future market value and the team's confidence in their depth chart. The outcome may also affect the Patriots' defensive strategy, as they face a different quarterback style than originally scouted.