Sam Darnold is dealing with a glute injury that could sideline him for a “short-term,” but let’s be real, a report from Mike Florio mentioned it could be 4-6 weeks! That’s a huge chunk of our early season, and it leaves our Hawks with just two healthy quarterbacks on the roster for now. This isn’t just a minor bump; it’s a critical situation brewing right when we need everyone locked in.
The QB Room’s Gotta Get Deeper, Pronto
So, with Darnold potentially out for over a month, Drew Lock is our guy under center, plain and simple. But what happens if Lock takes a hit? Who’s waiting in the wings? Right now, Jalen Milroe is our third quarterback, and he’s rostered because if we dared to waive him, some other team would snatch him up in a heartbeat. That leaves our typical practice squad QB spot wide open, and honestly, are we truly comfortable with Milroe being literally one snap away from taking legitimate NFL game reps? John Schneider, our fearless GM, has always had three quarterbacks in the room, whether on the active roster or tucked away on the practice squad. We’ve seen it year after year with guys like Alex McGough, Brett Rypien, Jaren Hall, Holton Ahlers, Sean Mannion, and John Rhys Plumlee. Now, with Darnold sidelined, Schneider HAS to be scouring the market for temporary depth. We need someone who can step in, maybe even as Lock’s primary backup, just in case, taking that immediate pressure off Milroe.
Who Could Be Schneider’s Next Wild Card Move?
The hunt is on, and the names popping up couldn’t be more different! On one hand, you’ve got Jake Retzlaff, an undrafted rookie straight outta Tulane. Unless you’re a die-hard AAC college football fanatic, you probably haven’t heard of him. But guess what? He was at our Seahawks 2026 Rookie Minicamp! He didn’t get a contract then, but you know John Schneider, he keeps tabs on these guys. Retzlaff slung it for 3,168 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions, completing 61% of his passes in his final year at Tulane. And get this: he’s a legit dual-threat, too, rushing for a massive 634 yards and 16 touchdowns in that same season! He’s got that raw talent that could make him a fascinating third-stringer, even behind Milroe, giving the coaching staff another option.
Then, on the flip side, we’ve got Josh Johnson, the ultimate NFL journeyman. This dude is a 19-year veteran quarterback! Think about that experience! He’s literally played for what feels like half the NFL, the United Football League, the XFL, and was even the first overall pick in the now-defunct Alliance of American Football League. He’s seen it all. The crazy part? He’s NEVER played for our Seahawks. Could this be the moment Schneider finally brings in a grizzled veteran for emergency depth? It’s a complete contrast to a raw rookie like Retzlaff, highlighting the stark choices our front office is facing to shore up that critical position.
The next few days are going to be absolutely pivotal for Coach Macdonald, Brian Fleury, and the entire front office as they figure out the best move. Keeping that QB room secure, especially with Lock stepping into the starting role so early in the season, is non-negotiable. The 12s, everyone in the Emerald City, will be glued to every single decision John Schneider makes, because a smart, decisive depth addition right now could absolutely be what keeps our season on track down the road.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Field Gulls.
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