By the Numbers: Do Seahawks Have Blooming QB Controversy?
Sam Darnold led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl just nine months ago, but multiple injuries have opened the door for Drew Lock to impress. Has the veteran backup created a QB controversy? Or is the job still Darnold's when he returns?
It's the hottest story in town. With Sam Darnold down with quad and rib injuries, Drew Lock stepped in for the Seattle Seahawks under center on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. For the second time this season, Lock led the team to a multiple-score win over the Cardinals to move Seattle to 5-4.
To oversimplify it, Drew Lock is basically 3-0 this season (counting when he entered the game against the Patriots just one series into the contest in the season opener). The Seahawks are 2-4 in games where Darnold plays the entire game. Naturally, that's going to lead to some discourse among fans as to who should be the starter moving forward.
To some, that might seem silly. Darnold just won the Seahawks a Super Bowl, after all. When healthy, Darnold is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL as far as pure arm talent. Darnold was a third overall pick and Lock was taken in the middle of the second round. Pure talent is on Darnold's side.
However, this is a results-based business. Right now, the results simply have not been there for Darnold this season. Darnold has thrown nine interceptions despite missing most of the three games due to injury. Only four NFL teams have more from their quarterbacks. Darnold has the fifth-highest turnover-worthy play rate among qualified quarterbacks.
