Sam Darnold's hip injury, for which there is no timeline for his return (and it could be as soon as Week 2), could have an extremely positive effect on Drew Lock. So much so that Lock is no longer with the Seattle Seahawks in 2027 or ever again. That's the hope.
Lock has tried to be a starting quarterback twice before. The first time was with the Denver Broncos, the team that chose him in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Denver gave up on Lock quickly, and he was eventually part of the trade that sent Russell Wilson to Denver after the 2021 season.
After the 2023 season, Lock decided to sign with the New York Giants because he had no path to a starting role with Seattle, as Geno Smith was still the QB1 with the Seahawks, but he might have one in New York. Instead, the Giants never gave Lock much of a chance either.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock could have a career-altering opportunity ahead of him in Week 2
Knowing he had been treated fairly by the Seattle Seahawks organization, even if he had no way to be QB1, Lock re-signed with Seattle in free agency in 2025. He and Darnold were friends, after all, and Lock was fine being a backup if needed.
Now, his chance might have come again to show the rest of the NFL that he should be a starting quarterback somewhere. He has good athleticism and a strong arm, but his decision-making has been questioned. He certainly looked savvy and wise in Week 1 against a good New England Patriots defense after Darnold was injured on the first drive of the game.
It took a few drives, sure, and into the second half, but Lock was eventually able to guide his team to 13 points and a victory. He was patient and didn't put the ball in harm's way. He was the perfect example of a backup quarterback.
But no QB wants to be a long-term backup, and should Lock need to replace Darnold in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals and do so in games that follow and play well? 2027 is looking golden for him. That is because he will be a free agent again next year, only possibly with a recent level of success.
Some NFL teams have their QB1 known for years, such as the Buffalo Bills with Josh Allen, but others can't be completely sure about their own. The New Orleans Saints, for instance, are hoping Tyler Shough will be a solid starter, but they can't know that yet.
The Saints are only one of those teams, too, and if Drew Lock is electric for the Seattle Seahawks in the next game or four, he could find himself one more opportunity to be a starter elsewhere in 2027. That means leaving Seattle, and he is such a good guy that he would be missed. But if he has a better personal opportunity with another team, he is a good enough guy to wish him well.
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