Drew Lock’s Long Road: From Denver Hope to Seattle Backup, Still Chasing His Shot
SAN JOSÉ, Calif. - This wasn’t the Super Bowl Drew Lock imagined when he entered the NFL in 2019. Not as a backup.
Not wearing Seahawks colors. And certainly not watching from the sideline while Sam Darnold takes the snaps under center.
But here he is, five years removed from his rookie debut, still in the league, still grinding, and still believing. Lock may not be the one leading his team onto the field this Super Bowl Sunday, but his journey is a reminder of how winding and unpredictable the quarterback path can be in today’s NFL.
A Front-Row Seat to Redemption Stories
Lock has spent the last few years in a curious position - not just a backup, but a backup to quarterbacks who themselves had to go through the fire, lose their starting jobs, and re-emerge stronger. First it was Geno Smith in Seattle, who took over the reins in 2022 after both he and Lock were brought in to fill the post-Russell Wilson void.
Smith won that job and turned it into a Pro Bowl season. Lock watched, learned, and waited.
Then came Sam Darnold in 2025. Another QB who’d seen the highs and lows of being a starter in New York and Carolina, Darnold found new life in Seattle. And once again, Lock was the No. 2, studying every step of the climb.
He’s had a front-row seat to what redemption can look like - how a quarterback can go from forgotten to franchise cornerstone by staying ready, staying sharp, and making the most of a second chance. It’s not lost on Lock.
The Glimpses Are Still There
Lock’s opportunities have been limited, but when he’s gotten the call, he’s shown flashes of what once made him a second-round pick with a rocket arm and a gunslinger’s confidence.
In 2023, he started two games for the Seahawks. One of those was a Monday night thriller against the Eagles, where he led a dramatic comeback that reminded fans of what he’s capable of when the moment is right.
A year later, he had five starts with the Giants. The situation wasn’t ideal - the roster was thin, the pressure was high - and the results were mixed.
But in his second-to-last start, Lock lit it up. He went 17-of-23 for 309 yards, four touchdowns, and no picks in a win over the Colts.
It was the kind of performance that turns heads, the kind that makes you wonder: What if he could do this consistently?
That’s been the story of Drew Lock’s career so far - moments of brilliance, waiting to be strung together into something sustainable. The talent has never been in doubt. It’s the consistency that’s kept him in the backup role.
Growth Comes in Many Forms
Lock knows he’s not the same quarterback he was when he arrived in Denver. He talks about the growth - not just on the field, but in the mental side of the game.
How to prep. How to handle late-game situations.
When to push the ball downfield and when to play it safe. It’s the kind of maturity that only comes with time, reps, and yes, even setbacks.
“I’ve got a whole lot more up here than I did back then,” Lock said recently, pointing to his head.
That kind of self-awareness matters. It’s what separates the quarterbacks who fade away from the ones who manage to stick around, evolve, and eventually find their moment.
The Denver Days: A Promising Start That Fizzled
Back in 2019, Lock was the guy in Denver. After missing most of his rookie year with a thumb injury, he closed the season with a 4-1 record as the starter. Broncos fans had reason to believe they’d found their quarterback of the future.
But 2020 was a mess. Lock struggled with injuries and inconsistency.
He was part of the infamous COVID-19 protocol mishap that left Denver without a quarterback for a game against the Saints. And while the rest of the league was thriving through the air - setting new passing efficiency standards - Lock posted a passer rating of 75.4, one of the worst among starters.
Ironically, Darnold was one of the few quarterbacks who ranked lower that year. Just another reminder of how quickly things can change in this league.
When George Paton took over as general manager in 2021, Lock’s future in Denver dimmed. Paton brought in Teddy Bridgewater, and the two quarterbacks split first-team reps in training camp.
Bridgewater won the job. Lock got a few starts late in the year after Bridgewater’s concussion, but the team never recovered from that Week 15 loss.
The Broncos finished the season on a losing streak, and Lock was on his way out.
Still Swinging
Four years later, Lock is still in the league. Still has that big arm.
Still has the ability to make throws that few quarterbacks can. And still waiting for the right opportunity to put it all together.
He’s seen firsthand how quickly things can turn. Geno Smith and Sam Darnold are living proof. And if Lock gets another shot - whether it’s in Seattle or somewhere else - don’t be surprised if he makes the most of it.
Because peak Drew Lock is still out there. And when he’s on, he’s electric.