How Drew Lock and the Seahawks saved the day on a celebratory night in Seattle

SEATTLE – Seattle-based Pearl Jam lead guitarist Mike McCready broke into the national anthem to set the stage for the Seahawks’ Super Bowl title defense Wednesday night against the New England Patriots at Lumen Field.

The Seahawks unveiled the second Super Bowl banner in team history before McCrady Strom, tying another Seattle legend, Jimi Hendrix, and the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock in 2011.

But he played just five games into Seattle’s 2026 season, losing quarterback Sam Darnold overnight. He suffered a hip injury. On a third-down sack by Dremont Jones. Darnold entered the treatment tent, then walked slowly to the locker room with a severe bruise on his right side.

“He was going to do everything he could to stay out,” backup Drew Locke said after the game. “But it was just one of those things that had to go to make it visible.”

With 57 minutes remaining against the reigning AFC champion Patriots without Darnold, the Seahawks turned to Locke. He completed 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown as the Seahawks rallied from a 10-point, second-half deficit. for a 13-10 victory.

Safety Julian Love, who made the Patriots’ second of three fourth-quarter interceptions against Derrick Maye, wasn’t surprised.

“We’ve all been talking about Drew being the best ‘2’ in the NFL for years,” Love said.

Cooper also praised Kup Lock. The veteran wide receiver said Locke, who draws plays on a whiteboard at home to stay prepared, had no reaction to the first-team offense during practice this week.

“You can see the pressure he puts on himself to be ready when the time comes,” Kupp said. “There’s more time on the field, there’s more time with the coaches, the last thing you want is for Sam not to be there, but Drew has done an incredible job preparing us and he did a great job for us today.”

The lock held its own First year offensive coordinator Brian FleurySave for a few mistakes in the opening game. He could have easily been picked off on a third-down throw in the second quarter. In the third, an illegal red-zone shift penalty — with a late buzzer and game clock ticking down — negated a touchdown on third-and-4 from the 7.

But Lock leveled the game with plenty of help from striker player of the year Jackson Smith-Njigba. On a fourth-and-1 at the New England 45-yard line early in the fourth quarter, Lock Hadoff faked a left boot and a short-handed pass by defensive tackle Milton Williams went to Smith-Njigba.

Locke was practically a non-running game; On Wednesday, he quickly perfected Smith-Njigba (read third in progress).

“You have to give the pill when the 11s are standing there,” Locke said with a laugh.

Smith-Njigba immediately eluded safety Craig Woodson and went 20-plus yards downfield, finding tight ends AJ Barner and Eric Saubert.

“My job was to find the zone, and Drew did a good job of finding me,” Smith-Njigba said. “After that, that’s all I do, try to get up the field, wait for the ball.”

Even with Darnold off the field, the play embodied what the Seahawks need Locke to do: be more of a point guard for the offense than a playmaker. Locke in He was last a full-time starter with the Denver Broncos in 2020 and went 4-9 in 13 starts.

Two seasons ago with the New York Giants, the No. 42 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft started five games, completing 59.1 percent of his passes with six touchdown passes. But in Denver and New York, Locke struggled with interceptions, including a league-high 15 throws in the 2020 season and five in 2024.

After the game, coach Mike McDonald was optimistic about Darnold’s condition, saying the team doesn’t have a fracture, but his prognosis is still unclear, with more tests scheduled for Monday. The Seahawks’ next game, Sept. 20, against the Arizona Cardinals could give Locke his first chance to start since 2024.

Locke said he has grown since the last time he led an NFL offense as a rookie. He said much of his improvement came from being around a winning franchise like the Seahawks. In turn, his thinking changed, and Locke took a more conservative approach.

“We know the type of defense we have, so he’s not going to rush the ball. “Let’s find ways to get the ball to our guys. I’ve never been one to be afraid to throw those downfield when they’re there.

But the mentality of taking care of the football, putting it in our guys’ hands, I think, I think let’s keep the ball moving forward and see what it looks like at the end of the scoreboard.

Although the Seahawks were shut out in the first half, they found a rhythm with Locke in the second. None of his teammates are surprised, or have any doubts about his ability, that the eighth-year project shouldn’t be called upon to start a few more games.

“Drew came in and did what he does every day,” left guard Gray Zabel said.

“I’m very confident with Drew,” added center Jalen Sandel. “Nothing’s going to change when he comes in.” Playbook is the same.”

Of course, the plays Fleury calls can change, just like they did Wednesday. Seattle’s offense, unknown entering Wednesday night with Fleury replacing Clint Kubiak, may have a little more vanilla under lock and key.

Alternatively, it can get a little more creative. Third-string defensive end Jalen Milro, who was used sparingly last season and appeared in just three games, can be used in special packages to take advantage of his running ability.

The Seahawks could do well with Locke, especially with how their defense played Wednesday. Seattle held New England to 277 yards of total offense, and the Patriots’ only touchdown — scored by tight end Eli Raridon — came on a 34-yard pass-interference penalty by Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe on a second-quarter flea-flicker.

Jobe got revenge in the fourth quarter, however, when Seattle’s last Maye interception in the end zone with 21 seconds left sealed the victory.

“It was an online game,” Jobe said. “We live in the death zone as we speak, and we’ve stayed alive, and we’ve dropped the ball.”

While Seattle’s defense had no problem generating takeaways, the offense completely shut them down. Of course, the Seahawks would end the night with just 13 points, tying last year’s team for the fewest in a single game. They failed to find the end zone on both trips inside the 20.

But with Lock at the helm and Darnold off the field, Seattle has shown it can play clean football and beat quality opponents like the Patriots.

In the process, Locke proved Wednesday’s pregame theatrics weren’t all for naught, as with any dramatic prime-time game. It was his second comeback win under the lights at Lumen Field after that. He impressed the Philadelphia Eagles to Smith-Njigba in 2023 with the game-winning TD.

“I don’t know if my generation loved (drama primetime games) as much as I love them right now,” Locke said. But yeah, man, it’s a blast. I’m proud of everyone who helped me on the offensive side of the ball tonight. I can’t say enough about the defense, forcing turnovers. It was a great night.