Drew Lock enters at Seattle QB after Sam Darnold injury. What to know about backup

A year after playing in strictly mop-up duty, Drew Lock is stepping back into the spotlight for the Seattle Seahawks.

The veteran backup quarterback was called to fill in for starter Sam Darnold on the second series of the season opener against the New England Patriots on Wednesday, Sept. 9.

Darnold appeared to be hurt on a third-down sack by Patriots edge rusher Dre'Mont Jones. He returned to the sideline but later went into the medical tent and then into the locker room with an apparent limp.

Darnold was originally listed as questionable to return with a hip injury but ruled for the remainder of the contest just before halftime. That left Lock, the eighth-year veteran, to take the reins behind center for the defending Super Bowl champions.

"We got faith in Drew," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said in a halftime interview with NBC. "He's settled into the game now, so we should be able to execute our game plan."

Who is Drew Lock?

A second-round pick in 2019 out of Missouri, Lock began his NFL career as the young passer whom the Denver Broncos hoped would lead the organization into a new era.

After going 4-1 after seizing the starting gig down the home stretch of his rookie season, Lock carried hefty expectations into the 2020 season. But his most notable moment from that campaign would be when he and three other Denver quarterbacks violated the league's COVID-19 protocols and landed on the reserve list.

Lock lost out to Teddy Bridgewater for the starting role in 2021 but finished up the season as the starter after an injury to him.

In March 2022, he was one of three veteran players included in the Seahawks' deal to send Russell Wilson to the Broncos. He did not appear in a game in his first season with Seattle while serving as Geno Smith's backup, but he started twice the following year.

Following a one-year stint with the New York Giants, Lock returned to the Seahawks on a two-year deal worth $5 million to back up Darnold.

Drew Lock's close bond with Sam Darnold

Even prior to linking up last season, Lock and Darnold had an established bond.

As highly hyped passers out of high school, the two became familiar at the Elite 11 camp and subsequently as roommates at the 2015 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. When Lock was preparing for the 2019 NFL Draft with Jordan Palmer, Darnold - a Southern California native and fellow protege of the quarterback coach and former pro passer - was "always around," Lock said in 2025.

"He's a great dude, and I'm excited to be in a room with him," Lock told the team's website. "I know what type of person he is; I'm excited to be in a room with him. It's cool."

Lock re-upped his praise for the starter after the Seahawks' NFC title game win.

He is, for lack of better words, very, very, very good at his job," Lock said. "He is a competitor, studies like no other, so smart. Couple that with the throws that we all get to visually see. He's outstanding."

Seahawks QB2 Drew Lock got emotional talking about what Sam Darnold has accomplished this season. Lock and Darnold have been friends since their high school elite 11 days. pic.twitter.com/XfLtw1pIvY

- Kalyn Kahler (@kalynkahler) January 26, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Drew Lock enters at Seattle QB after Sam Darnold injury. What to know about backup