The Seattle Seahawks are extremely unlikely to have a real quarterback controversy, but that won't stop some fans from banding about the possibility that Drew Lock replaces Sam Darnold as QB1. The debate is stunted by Lock possibly not being available for Week 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The quarterback entered Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals with an elbow issue. He was suffering from tendinitis, and the team couldn't be completely sure that the veteran could make every throw needed. He hurt his oblique during the game, though.
Through sheer toughness, Lock continued to play the rest of the game, but he was helped by an aspect that Darnold has not had the luxury of having this season: A good running game. Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price were quite good in their second game back from injury.
Any growing Seattle Seahawks quarterback controvery will be tested by Drew Lock's health in Week 10
This meant that Lock didn't have to do too much for Seattle to win the game against a bad Cardinals team. The defense throttled Arizona, and Charbonnet, especially, was great as the game wore on. But the Raiders are a better team and a more difficult task in Week 10.
Sam Darnold could return for the game, but that seems unlikely. He is dealing with a quad injury, and the team is likely going to keep him out until at least Week 12 (Seattle has a bye week in Week 11). The hope is that Lock starts and plays somewhat conservatively but effectively.
Therein lies the growing quarterback controversy among fans. Lock has taken the majority of QB1 reps in three games, hasn't had a turnover, and the Seahawks are 3-0 in those games. It should be noted that two of the victories came against the Cardinals, though.
Darnold has been QB1 in Seattle's other six games, but the team is only 2-4 in those contests. Part of the issue, besides a lack of a consistent rushing attack, is that Darnold hasn't been very good. He has thrown 10 touchdown passes, but he's also thrown nine interceptions. Many of those picks have come at the absolute worst time.
What Darnold gives the Seattle Seahawks offense that Lock doesn't is explosiveness. With Lock behind center, the team must rely on the defense playing at an elite level and a fairly even run-pass ratio, with the running game being effective. That is a good way to win a championship if it works, but consistency would be a problem, especially running the ball.
If Drew Lock can play in Week 10 (he said after Week 9 that he would play against the Raiders, but Mike Macdonald wasn't so certain about the quarterback situation next week), and he leads the team to another turnover-free victory, more fans will clamour for a quarterback change.
That change is unlikely to happen, though. Sam Darnold will almost certainly stay QB1 when he returns from injury. That said, the Seahawks could be facing a reality in which Jalen Milroe is the starting quarterback against the Raiders if Lock's oblique injury is worse than initially thought.
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