Published October 15, 2026 11:49 PM
The conversation, however it’s resolved, needs to be had.
Should the Seahawks turn to Drew Lock over Sam Darnold at quarterback?
Darnold has seven interceptions in four full games (he handled five snaps of the Week 1 game against the Patriots). Drew Lock threw four touchdown passes and no picks in most of the Patriots game and all of the Week 2 game against the Cardinals.
Darnold has started four games since returning from his glute injury. He’s 1-3.
Said Darnold on Tuesday, regarding the miscues: “I’m going to continue to be as decisive as I can be and go through my reads and trust what I see, trust my feet, all those things. Can’t have turnovers. You have to protect the football in this league. If you don’t, you’ll pay.”
For a running back like James Cook of the Bills, a turnover problem could mean fewer reps and touches in the tailback rotation. For a quarterback, it’s all or nothing; he either takes all the snaps, or he takes none of them.
At some point, the Seahawks need to ask themselves whether Lock should be the one taking the snaps.
Obviously, benching Darnold would likely mean the Seahawks would move on in 2027. His $35.5 million in compensation for next year, the last of his contract, isn’t guaranteed. He earns a $10 million roster bonus on the fifth day of the league year in March.
The Seahawks may ultimately decide to ride or die with Darnold for the rest of the season. But they at least need to have the conversation about making a switch, and the possibility of being benched at some point needs to be on the table in order to underscore Darnold’s assessment.
“You have to protect the football in this league. If you don’t, you’ll pay.”