The Seattle Seahawks are at a crossroads. After a nightmarish performance from quarterback Sam Darnold against the Denver Broncos, the question is no longer just about one bad game—it's about whether the team needs a change under center.
Darnold's struggles were on full display in Thursday's overtime loss, where he completed 27 of 51 passes for 278 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions—the second a game-ending pick on third down in OT. It was the kind of night that makes you question if the Seahawks can afford to keep rolling with him.
“When you have a defense and special teams group that’s playing the way they are for us, for me, I’ve just got to protect the football,” Darnold said after the game. “Dropping back and taking what they give me, I feel like I did a pretty good job of that in the first half, and then late in the second half, those two plays, you can’t have it.”
The numbers this season paint a concerning picture: Darnold has completed just 60.4% of his passes for 1,033 yards, with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. That's not the production you want from a quarterback who was supposed to be a stabilizing force.
NFL insider Mike Florio has already floated the idea of a switch to Drew Lock, who filled in admirably earlier this season. In two games, Lock completed 72.9% of his passes for 422 yards, four touchdowns, and zero picks. But benching Darnold would have major implications beyond just this season—his 2027 compensation isn't guaranteed, and the team could move on without a huge financial hit.
“Obviously, benching Darnold would likely mean the Seahawks would move on in 2027. His $35.5 million in compensation for next year, the last of his contract, isn’t guaranteed. He earns a $10 million roster bonus on the fifth day of the league year in March,” Florio wrote. “The Seahawks may ultimately decide to ride or die with Darnold for the rest of the season. But they at least need to have the conversation about making a switch, and the possibility of being benched at some point needs to be on the table in order to underscore Darnold’s assessment.”
Despite the speculation, it sounds like the Seahawks are sticking with their starter—at least for now. Darnold has already promised his teammates he'll be better, saying, “It’s BS for me to keep turning the ball over. It’s not fair to our defense. It’s not fair to our special teams. It’s not fair to our entire team. I’ve got to be better.”
But talk is cheap, and the schedule doesn't get any easier. The Seahawks face the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday night, a team that can punish mistakes in a hurry. If Darnold struggles again, the calls for Lock will only grow louder.
The controversial overtime win by the Broncos has only added fuel to the fire, and Darnold's pre-game comments about Bo Nix now look a bit awkward. The Seahawks are in a tough spot, and the clock is ticking on their season.
