The Seattle Seahawks Have a Quarterback Problem

Over the past two seasons, quarterback Sam Darnold has flipped his career script. The New York Jets selected Darnold with the 3rd overall pick out of USC, and despite moments when he looked like a franchise quarterback, he ultimately flamed out in New York. His most memorable moment with the Jets came on Monday Night Football, when he struggled and was caught on a mic saying he was “seeing ghosts” on the field. 

Darnold spent time with the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers before taking the backup job with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. There, he resurrected his career after rookie J. J. McCarthy went down for the season with a knee injury. Darnold was thrust into the starting role and had an excellent season, passing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. The Vikings went 14-3 and lost in the first round of the playoffs, but Darnold cashed in on his success with a three-year, $100.5 million deal in Seattle. 

Last year, Darnold continued to play well, passing for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions as the Seahawks went 14-3 and were the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Seahawks won the Super Bowl, and it seemed like he had turned the corner and become a true franchise quarterback. 

However, the playoff success overshadowed a key part of his season: he led the league in turnovers. He threw 14 interceptions and lost 6 fumbles. This season, his turnover issues have continued. He is tied for the league lead with 7 interceptions, and that’s despite missing a game. 

Last night against the Broncos, his performance was dreadful; he went 27 of 51 for 278 yards and 2 absolutely back-breaking interceptions. His second set up the Broncos’ game-winning drive. He doesn’t look like the player who had zero turnovers in the playoffs and led Seattle to a title. He’s looked more like the quarterback who played for the Jets and was cast off because of that poor play. 

He’s been so mediocre that fans are starting to call for backup quarterback Drew Lock to get a chance at the starting job. Lock has played in two games this season, passing for 422 yards, 4 touchdowns, and zero interceptions. The Broncos selected Lock in the 2nd round in 2019. He was traded to Seattle in the Russell Wilson trade but lost the starting job to Geno Smith, then went to the New York Giants in 2024 and returned to the Seahawks last season. He has a career record of 11-18 and 6,791 yards, 38 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions. 

I truly feel we’ve seen enough of Lock to know he’s not a starting quarterback in this league. It goes to show just how poorly Darnold has played if fans are considering Lock as a better option. Seattle is 3-3, behind the undefeated San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West, and they need to figure out the quarterback position if they have any hope of making a playoff run.

source https://www.mensjournal.com/sports/the-seattle-seahawks-have-a-quarterback-problem