The 2026 season opener for our Seahawks just took a gut punch. Sam Darnold, our starting quarterback, is questionable to return after suffering a hip injury right at the end of Seattle’s very first possession. Just like that, the air got thick at Lumen Field, and backup Drew Lock is already out there, trying to steady the ship for the Emerald City. You just know every single 12s fan is holding their breath right now, watching every snap, hoping this isn’t a long-term thing.
Darnold Down, Lock Steps Up: The Unnerving Reality
Seeing Darnold go down so early, on the first possession no less, is the absolute worst start anyone could imagine for our Hawks. A hip injury is no joke, especially for a quarterback who needs that mobility and strong base. This is the NFL regular season, and every game matters from day one. Having Lock come in cold, so early in the game and the season, puts immense pressure on him to perform right away. He did not get a lot of reps with the starters in practice, so this is a real test of his readiness and connection with guys like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp. It’s a moment that could define the early part of our season, depending on the severity of Darnold’s injury.
Patriots Draw First Blood as Hawks Scramble
Meanwhile, while we were all worried sick about Darnold, the Patriots managed to put the first points on the board. They took a 7-0 lead midway through the second quarter, thanks to a 2-yard touchdown pass from Drake Maye. Rookie tight end Eli Rairdon caught the first pass of his career for that score. The drive was a grinder, too: 10 plays, 77 yards, chewing up 5:37 off the clock. Patriot newcomer AJ Brown helped set it up by drawing a pass interference penalty on cornerback Josh Jobe. Maye underthrew Brown on a flea flicker, and Jobe hit him before the ball arrived, giving New England that critical field position. So far, Maye is 7-of-8 for 44 yards and has rushed for 20 yards on four carries. Brown has two catches for 12 yards in his debut.
This game, suddenly, isn’t just about the score. It’s about Drew Lock taking over the reins for who knows how long, and how our beloved Seahawks will respond to this immediate adversity. The season is only just beginning, and the team needs to rally, starting now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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