The discussion is unavoidable, regardless of how it ends.
Should Seattle hand the starting job to Drew Lock instead of Sam Darnold?
Over four full appearances, Darnold has thrown seven interceptions—though he did take five snaps in Week 1 against New England. Meanwhile, Lock delivered four touchdown passes without an interception across most of that Patriots contest and all of Week 2 versus Arizona.
Since returning from a glute injury, Darnold has started four games, going 1-3.
Asked about the mistakes on Tuesday, Darnold said: “I’m going to continue to be as decisive as I can be and go through my reads and trust what I see, trust my feet, all those things. Can’t have turnovers. You have to protect the football in this league. If you don’t, you’ll pay.”
For a running back such as Buffalo’s James Cook, ball-security issues can mean reduced carries and a smaller role in the rotation. For a quarterback, the stakes are absolute: either he takes every snap, or he takes none.
Seattle must eventually ask whether Lock deserves the snaps instead.
Benching Darnold would likely signal the Seahawks’ intent to part ways after this season. The final year of his contract carries $35.5 million in compensation, none of it guaranteed, and includes a $10 million roster bonus due on the fifth day of the league year in March.
Seattle may ultimately stick with Darnold for the remainder of the campaign. Still, the organization needs to entertain the possibility of a switch, keeping the bench as an option to reinforce Darnold’s own assessment.
“You have to protect the football in this league. If you don’t, you’ll pay.”