Seahawks QB Drew Lock 'Cool As Can Be' Starting In Place Of An Injured Sam Darnold

Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock played well in his second start of the season, playing in place of an injured Sam Darnold.

Nov 08, 2026 at 07:39 PM

Seahawks.com Writer

Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock entered this week feeling similar to how he did when he had to fill in for Sam Darnold earlier in the season. He just wanted to be laser focused on doing his job and doing it well enough to get a Seahawks win.

That came to fruition on Sunday afternoon as Lock led the Seahawks to a 17-3 victory over the Cardinals, a reminder of how valuable Seattle's backup QB is for Mike Macdonald's team.

"He's a beast. He just threw it around. Just went after it," Macdonald said after the game. "I think our medical people deserve a shout-out too for putting a great plan together and treating Drew, and Jalen Milroe too, operating our offense when he took the snaps that he took and being ready to play in case Drew couldn't go or couldn't finish. Really a great team effort, but Drew, I don't know how you can get any tougher. Both guys, just tough as nails."

Despite having limited reps this week because the Seahawks were managing his lingering elbow injury, Lock didn't show any signs of limitations in his performance.

"He didn't throw much [during the week]," Cooper Kupp said. "And so battling through and being able to mentally prepare for a football game without having to being able to go out there and actually do it, that's really tough to do. I think he did an unbelievable job and tough through obviously some stuff today as well."

Kupp added: "Some guys can go out there and do that and it's just like when the lights come on, you can go out there and play ball. And he showed an ability to do that obviously through this week. Coming in just the poise that he had, I think in the huddle he was great. And that QB room, they worked so well together. They really take such a collaborative approach to the game. All those guys are talking constantly with one another, whatever it takes to be able to help whoever that is that's out there playing. Sam was awesome this week for Drew. I'm sure Drew will mention that, but for him to come out and be as clear and be able to see the field like he did was really cool."

Lock went 19-of-28 passing for 175 yards and one touchdown, and also had 16 yards rushing.

"That dude's a beast, man," safety Julian Love said. "He's so tough and just so cool. Nothing phases him no matter what. He's confident, he has swagger. He really plays offense like a defensive player. I think that's why all of us really love him, especially on defense. And there's confidence there. I've said it for years now. He's the best two in the game. We're really happy to have him on our team."

But equally as importantly is he didn't commit a turnover or take a sack, which is also a nod to the offensive line.

"That was a huge point of emphasis," Grey Zabell said. "Last week, Sam (Darnold) got hit too much. We put in a point of emphasis to keep the quarterback clean and give him a clean pocket to throw from and Drew (Lock) did an unbelievable job tonight."

Lock said a piece of the success on the offense was the presence of the run game. Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price combined for 101 yards on 25 carries.

"Those guys, they're the work horses of this team," Lock said. "I think it says a lot about the running back room in general… To be able to then get Zach and JD (Jadarian) back, and Zach having a couple of games under his belt now after a very serious injury -- you're just going to keep seeing him come more and more to life. Hats off to that room. All of them have had their number called at some point, and personally in my opinion, they've all been ready. They're just huge for us."

Though he was able to finish the game, Macdonald announced postgame that Lock suffered an oblique injury during the win, and the extent of the injury is unclear.

"I was able to finish with it," Lock said. "But we'll get it looked at and go from there, but not too bad," he said, later adding, "I wouldn't say it (affected the ability to throw). I went into the tent, had it looked at, came back out… You feel it, but it was nothing that is going to keep me on the sideline."