Drew Lock's dismal preseason performance makes Seahawks look like geniuses

There were some 12s who wanted Drew Lock to take over for Geno Smith in 2023. Some fans thought that Smith could not lead the Seattle Seahawks to a high level of success, and all Lock needed was a chance. He had been a wash-out with the Denver Broncos but that was likely because Denver's offensive coaching staff was terrible, right?

Smith got hurt in 2023, and Lock got his chance to start a couple of games. To be fair, he was better than many expected, especially in his second start when he threw a last-minute game-winning touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba against the Philadelphia Eagles. That would be the last throw Lock would make for Seattle last year.

Lock wanted to go to a team this offseason where he thought he might have a chance to compete to start. He had learned that was not going to happen in Seattle, nor should it have. Smith is a better quarterback. Instead of returning to the Seahawks on the cheap, he signed a one-year $5 million contract with the New York Giants.

The Seahawks saved some money by not re-signing error-prone Drew Lock

Meanwhile, Seattle made a trade for Sam Howell. Howell had been the full-time starter for the Washington Commanders and while he led the league in interceptions with 21, he also threw 21 touchdown passes behind an offensive line that was atrocious. The quarterback also only costs around one million dollars. Seattle saved by not trying to re-sign Lock.

Like Howell in 2023, Lock's issue has been turning the ball over. The quarterback led the NFL in interceptions in 2020 with 15. With Seattle last year, he threw three touchdown passes but also three interceptions. Many of the picks were simply bad decisions.

This bit Lock again when his new team kicked off their preseason schedule on Thursday. Before being forced to leave the game with a hip injury that is not considered long-term (thankfully), Lock went 10 for 17 passing on four drives, two of which were three-and-outs, and had one atrocious interception. He also missed a wide-open Malik Nabors deep down the field when Lock did not throw the ball even though he appeared to see Nabors.

The interception was either a bad read or Lock did not see the defender. It was the kind of throw that has plagued Lock his entire career and kept him from being a long-term starter. A big difference between Sam Howell and Drew Lock is Lock thinks he should be a starter but shouldn't be. Howell knows he needs to get better and is not going to start right now.

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