Sam Darnold is back under center this week, taking the reins against the Washington Commanders. That means Drew Lock, after a seriously impressive run filling in, recedes back to his backup spot.
The Backup Who Proved He’s More Than That
Lock played *very well* in his limited time as starter, showing us he can lead this squad. With the insane flurry of starting quarterback injuries across the league this season, it’s no surprise our guy became a trade chip discussion point. Just look at the New York Giants; their quarterback, Jaxson Dart, is out for the rest of the regular season. And Lock was even with the Giants back in 2024. The argument for trading Lock sounds tempting on paper: we don’t expect Darnold to get hurt again, Lock’s on an expiring contract, and Jalen Milroe is waiting in the wings as a potential backup. The thought is, “why not snag a draft pick before he likely bounces next season?”
Why We Can’t Risk Our Super Bowl Shot
Here’s where that thinking hits a wall, though. Expecting Darnold to stay healthy? This is the NFL, man! Injuries happen constantly. Jalen Milroe is on the roster, but let’s be honest about where he’s at. Outside of that Week Three preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs last month, Milroe has looked like a total developmental project, not a true NFL quarterback ready for real snaps. Maybe by 2027 he’ll be ready for that jump. But right now, putting him in that position would be playing with fire for a team that’s a *legitimate Super Bowl contender*.
Drew Lock has proven he can lead this team to victories when forced into the lineup. Even national pundit Daniel Jeremiah said straight up: the Seahawks can win a Super Bowl with Drew Lock. The idea of getting a draft pick now instead of letting him walk in free agency is also flawed. What kind of pick are we even talking about? A good example is when the Cincinnati Bengals grabbed Joe Flacco midway through last season. They sent the Cleveland Browns a 5th round pick for Flacco and a 6th round pick. Sure, Flacco was older and abysmal in Cleveland, but Lock is also on an expiring contract, making him a rental for any trade partner. We’re talking an early day three pick at best. The kicker? We already have a plethora of 2027 draft picks, even after the Avery Smith trade. We don’t *need* that specific pick.
While the siren song of an extra draft pick might whisper sweet nothings, keeping Drew Lock is absolutely critical for our Super Bowl aspirations. Sam Darnold’s return is huge, but having Lock’s proven ability behind him gives us the safety net this legitimate Super Bowl contender needs. We’ve got the Washington Commanders coming up, and every game matters for this team. Let’s keep our eyes on the prize and our roster strong. Go Hawks!
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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