The Seahawks didn’t plan on Drew Lock being the guy this early, but two weeks into the season, he’s already making a strong case as the best-performing backup quarterback in the league.
Seattle is one of four teams that has had to pivot from its original quarterback plan, and Lock got thrown into the spotlight immediately when Sam Darnold went down with a glute injury on the opening drive of Week 1 against the New England Patriots. The first outing was bumpy. The second was a different story entirely.
Against Arizona in Week 2, Lock settled in and played like someone who had been preparing for this moment all along. He threw three touchdowns, and for stretches it looked as if he had been the starter from day one. That followed a Week 1 finish where he helped Seattle close the door, scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter and guiding the Seahawks to a win.
That kind of steadiness matters at backup quarterback, and it’s the biggest reason Lock sits at the top of this group.
The rest of the field has had a tougher time making the same kind of impression. Cooper Rush lands at No. 4 after walking into a rough setup with the Falcons.
He signed right at the start of training camp and began as the third-string quarterback behind Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa. Penix is working back from a torn ACL, while Tagovailoa was expected to start until an oblique injury hit in the season opener.
Rush got the call, but the results were ugly: 22 of 39 for 229 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions across two losses.
Jameis Winston found himself in a similarly messy spot. Jaxson Dart injured his knee on the opening drive of Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams, and Winston had to step in with little warning.
He never got comfortable, finishing 11 of 27 for 111 yards and an interception. Whether it was the surprise of the moment or the Rams coming in angry after a 20-point loss in Week 1, the performance left him with plenty to clean up if he wants to climb the list.
The Giants, at least, have time to let him do it.
Marcus Mariota has also already been pressed into action, and he’ll be the quarterback Seattle sees when it visits Washington in Week 3. Mariota entered the Commanders’ Week 2 game against the Dallas Cowboys and looked the part of a seasoned veteran in the second half, going 11 of 16 for 111 yards and a touchdown.
That was enough to outgain Jayden Daniels, who left with an elbow injury that could keep him out for the rest of the season. Mariota started eight games for Washington last year, and the way things are unfolding, there’s a chance he ends up with more than that in 2026.
Carson Wentz’s turn came after Kyler Murray suffered a concussion in Minnesota’s season opener against the Green Bay Packers. Wentz answered with a sharp first outing, completing 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards and throwing three touchdowns in a 39-20 comeback win.
He came back down to earth the next week in rainy Chicago, going 11 of 20 for 143 yards, though the Vikings still beat the Bears 9-3. Wentz is back on the sideline in Week 3 now that Murray has cleared concussion protocol and will start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the door only stays closed if Murray plays well enough to keep it that way.
For now, though, Lock is the one setting the standard. He’s been the steadiest of the backups who’ve taken real snaps, and for Seattle, that’s been enough to keep the Seahawks unbeaten.
In Other News...
Seahawks Fans Already Have One Worry About Rashid Shaheed
Rashid Shaheed has been part of the Seahawks early-season conversation for reasons Seattle probably did not want. Through the first two games, he has just four catches on nine targets for 39 yards, and his work on special teams has not been spotless either, including a fumble that was recovered by a teammate. For a player who re-signed with Seattle on a three-year contract, the slow start has already nudged him into the spotlight.
The concern is not only the stat line, but whether Shaheed can be trusted to settle in as a dependable No. 2 receiver while the offense deals with quarterback injuries and backup Drew Lock keeps things moving. Seattle has needed someone behind the top target to create a steady threat, and Shaheed has not yet provided that kind of consistency. There is still time for the role to take shape, but the first two weeks have given fans a reason to watch this one closely. [Read more 🡒]
Mike Macdonald Just Learned An Early Seahawks Lesson The Hard Way
Mike Macdonalds first season in Seattle has already offered a reminder that life as an NFL head coach comes with lessons beyond the sideline. In reflecting on a recent interview with Graham Bensinger, Macdonald said the experience drove home the importance of understanding off-the-record agreements and being careful about how he handles media conversations. He described the moment as part of the learning curve, while also stressing the value he places on honest dialogue.
For the Seahawks, the episode is less about one interview than about how Macdonald settles into the broader demands of the job. Any early misstep can shape how a coach is viewed inside the building and outside it, especially with ownership watching closely and media interactions coming with the territory. Macdonald appears to understand the stakes, and the next test will be whether that lesson changes how he navigates those conversations moving forward. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Could Gain Early NFC West Edge From A Rams Problem
Puka Nacuas groin injury has already started to ripple beyond Los Angeles, because the Rams are staring at a Week 3 matchup with the Broncos without one of their most important pass-catchers. Nacua missed Week 2, and Sean McVay has signaled he is unlikely to play again, leaving a Rams offense that already has to navigate a strong Denver defense without one of its top playmakers.
For Seattle, the timing matters. The Seahawks are positioned to be in the NFC West mix early, and if Los Angeles stumbles again, the division picture could start to tilt quickly toward Seattle and San Francisco after Week 3. A Rams start at 1-2 would not decide anything, but it would give the Seahawks a little more breathing room while their biggest division rival tries to survive without Nacua. [Read more 🡒]