As much criticism as the Seattle Seahawks have received for trading quarterback Geno Smith and replacing him with Sam Darnold, the team's quarterback room is pretty solid and full of promise. This is made greater by Seattle likely keeping three quarterbacks on the active roster for the first time in more than a decade.
Hopefully, Darnold works out well and is as good, if not better, than he was with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. The Seahawks have a solid fallback plan if Darnold falters, though.
Drew Lock, like Darnold, was signed in free agency. Lock hasn't proven himself in his career to be a long-term QB1, but he has been outstanding in OTAs, minicamp, and the beginning of training camp. Based on his previous time with the Seahawks, Seattle knows Lock can be surprisingly solid if he needs to get starter reps.
Bold prediction about Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe isn't so bold (but still correct)
Seattle added another quarterback this offseason as well. Alabama's Jalen Milroe was chosen in the third round of the NFL draft. He was seen as a raw prospect, but in minicamp impressed the coaches with how far he had come along since OTAs. Some fans might even hope Milroe is at least Seattle's QB2 in 2025, if not the eventual starter.
Not so fast, says Sportsnaut's Andrew Buller-Russ. In a recent article about bold predictions for each NFC team, Buller-Russ predicts that Lock will be Seattle's QB2, while Milroe stays at QB3. This would make it difficult for Milroe to get any QB1 reps in 2025, unless Darnold and Lock get injured.
Buller-Russ writes, "In addition to getting a new starting quarterback in Sam Darnold, the Seahawks also brought Drew Lock back to be QB2. This means Milroe will have an incredibly tough time elevating to primary backup status as a rookie, but he could still get a package of plays dialed up for him throughout the season."
Two things. One, Buller-Russ is likely completely correct. Milroe should be QB3, and Lock QB2.
The other thing is that this is not a "bold" prediction, but what has been expected since Milroe was taken in the third round. The Seahawks obviously don't expect Milroe to make a quick climb to the top of the quarterback depth chart as the rookie almost exclusively took third-team reps in OTAs, minicamp, and will likely do so in most of training camp.
The most positive part of quarterback play in preseason practices so far has been Darnold or Milroe, but how sharp Lock has looked. In nearly every practice, he has been a standout. He has performed so well so far that, should Darnold get off to a rocky start at the beginning of the season, Lock should step in.
The Seahawks' defense should be very good in 2025 and put the team in a position to win a bunch of games. If Sam Darnold is keeping that from happening, then Drew Lock should take over. Jalen Milroe should sit, watch, and learn for a while.