The conversation, however resolved, must be had.
Should the Seahawks turn to Drew Lock over Sam Darnold at quarterback?
Darnold has seven interceptions in four complete games (he handled five in Week 1 against the Patriots). Drew Lock threw four touchdown passes and no picks for most of the Patriots game and all of Week 2 against the Cardinals.
Darnold has started four games since returning from a breast injury. He is 1-3.
Darnold said Tuesday of the mistakes: “I’m going to continue to be as decisive as I can and go through my reads and trust what I see, trust my feet, all those things. There can’t be turnovers. You’ve got to protect the football in this league. If you don’t, you’re going to pay.”
For a tailback like James Cook of the Bills, a turnover problem could mean fewer reps and touches in the back rotation. For a quarterback, it’s all or nothing; he either gets all the snaps, or he gets none of them.
At some point, the Seahawks have to wonder if Lock should be the one taking the snaps.
Of course, Darnold’s benching likely means the Seahawks will move to 2027. His $35.5 million in compensation for next year, the final year of his contract, is not guaranteed. He earns a $10 million bonus on the fifth day of the league year in March.
The Seahawks could ultimately decide to ride or die with Darnold for the rest of the season. But they should at least talk about making a change, and the possibility of a deal at some point should be on the table in order to underline Darnold’s appreciation.
“You have to protect the football in this league. If you don’t, you will pay.