Just two years ago, Sam Darnold looked like he was settling into the well-worn path of a journeyman backup quarterback - a former top pick bouncing from team to team, clipboard in hand. After rocky stints with the Jets and Panthers, Darnold landed in San Francisco in 2023 as Brock Purdy’s backup.
Then in 2024, he took on a similar role in Minnesota, mentoring rookie J.J. McCarthy.
But when McCarthy went down with a preseason injury, Darnold didn’t just keep the seat warm - he took the wheel and drove Minnesota to a franchise-record 14 regular season wins. That kind of turnaround doesn’t just happen. It takes a quarterback who’s seen the highs and lows, who knows how to stay ready, and who understands the value of a strong QB room.
So it’s no surprise that Darnold now finds himself with a backup who brings real experience to the table - nearly 30 games’ worth, in fact. And that backup is Drew Lock.
Yes, that Drew Lock.
Lock’s NFL story has been a winding one. Once seen as a possible franchise quarterback, he slipped into the second round of the draft and landed in Denver. He flashed early promise, going 4-1 as a rookie starter, but the next two seasons were a grind - a combined 4-12 record and a slow fade from the Broncos’ long-term plans.
In 2022, Lock was part of the trade that sent Russell Wilson to Denver, and he made his way to Seattle. Though Geno Smith won the starting job, Lock stuck around, re-signing in 2023 and stepping in for two starts that year. He went 1-1 in those games, playing solid, if unspectacular, football - the kind of performance that doesn’t make headlines, but keeps you in the league.
In 2024, Lock took his talents to the East Coast, serving as a backup for the New York Giants. Then, in 2025, he made his way back to Seattle, signing a two-year, $5 million deal to return to the Seahawks' quarterback room.
This season, he’s barely touched the field - just three regular season passes and a few late-game kneel-downs. But make no mistake: Lock’s presence matters.
He’s a veteran with real starting experience, someone who can step in if needed and help keep the offense on track. For a starter like Darnold, who’s lived the backup life and knows how quickly things can change, having someone like Lock behind him isn’t just a luxury - it’s a necessity.
In a league where depth at quarterback can make or break a season, the Seahawks have a quietly solid situation. Darnold’s resurgence has been one of the more underrated storylines in recent memory, and with Lock in the wings, Seattle has a safety net that many teams would envy.