Seattle Seahawks QB Drew Lock 'Ready As He Can Get' For 49ers
RENTON, Wash. - Since arriving as part of the Russell Wilson blockbuster trade with the Denver Broncos, even after he ultimately lost the team's quarterback competition to Geno Smith a year ago, Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has consistently sung praises for Drew Lock regarding his work ethic and preparation.
With Smith now dealing with a new groin injury that has put his status for Sunday's rematch against the 49ers in limbo, Lock may finally get the chance to impress in a starting audition that he has been patiently gearing up for behind the scenes for the better part of two seasons. If the Seahawks have to turn to the former Missouri standout against one of the NFL's best defenses, Carroll has no reservations about him being ready to seize the moment.
“He’s been waiting for this opportunity and looking forward to it and preparing for it," Carroll told reporters on Friday following practice. "If this comes to pass, then he is ready as he can get. I’m excited about him getting a chance to play."
Listed as questionable after tweaking his groin in practice earlier in the week, Carroll didn't offer much detail on Smith's health heading into Sunday's contest. Obviously, with their dwindling playoff chances hanging in the balance, the Seahawks will be hoping the veteran signal caller turns the corner enough to be able to start under center without significant limitations.
But with the decision to sign journeyman Sean Mannion to the practice squad on Friday and promptly elevate him for game day as quarterback insurance, the Seahawks clearly have concerns about Smith's health, and the door looks to be wide open for Lock to make his first start since 2021.
As Carroll has confidently reiterated time and time again, including on Friday, he and the rest of Seattle's coaching staff believe Lock possesses both the physical tools and mental makeup to thrive in coordinator Shane Waldron's offense. With the exception of two appearances spelling a banged-up Smith earlier this season, he simply hasn't had much of a chance to show what he can do.
Most of Drew Lock's game reps with the Seahawks have come in the preseason, but coach Pete Carroll remains confident in his ability to run the offense in place of starter Geno Smith.
© Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Despite that lack of opportunity to this point, however, Lock hasn't been deterred or frustrated by circumstances. Like any quality backup quarterback must do, he has maximized his few reps during practice while spending extensive time working on his craft afterward and diving deep into film study, checking off all the boxes to ensure he's fully prepared when duty calls.
"I know for him, he’s been really disciplined about the way he focuses every week to make himself know and believe that he’s going to be playing, as that guy has to do," Carroll explained. "If it changes this week, we’ll see the benefits of all his hard work to focus like you need to focus to maintain what it takes to play this game.”
Now in his fifth NFL season, Lock has more in-game experience than most backups in the NFL. Drafted in the second round by the Broncos in 2019, the franchise tabbed him as a starter late in his rookie season, and he fared well with seven touchdown passes while guiding the team to four wins in five starts. However, he took a step back in 2020, throwing a league-high 15 interceptions in 13 starts.
Beat out by Teddy Bridgewater for the starting gig the following fall, Lock appeared in six games with a trio of starts in his final season in Denver, throwing for 787 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. With him no longer viewed as the quarterback of the future, he was included in the deal to acquire Wilson from Seattle, giving him a fresh start competing against Smith in the Pacific Northwest.
While Lock's fortunes didn't turn out any differently than a year earlier when Smith controlled the battle from OTAs through training camp, Carroll and the Seahawks remained high on his potential. Liking what they saw from him on the practice field last season, they re-signed him on a one-year, $4 million deal in March, making him one of the highest-paid backups in the league.
In limited snaps thus far this season spelling Smith, Lock has underwhelmed statistically, completing only four out of 12 pass attempts for 66 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. But the veteran has been put in difficult spots coming in cold off the bench in both instances and with him receiving starter reps this week, he should be better equipped for success, at least in terms of communication and timing with receivers.
Of course, Lock won't be throwing against a scout team defense at Levis Stadium either. Even with defensive tackle Arik Armstead ruled out due to injury, the 49ers have one of the most formidable front sevens in the league led by All Pro talents Nick Bosa and Fred Warner. Regardless of how well prepared he is, it won't be easy sledding trying to move the football through the air against a well-oiled, star-studded machine.
With that said, though he struggled mightily in his brief time in Denver, Lock's arm talent and underrated athleticism have never been questioned. He has the necessary traits to be able to do some damage as both a passer and a runner as long as he plays within himself and doesn't try to do too much.
In the event Smith isn't able to go, if Waldron can dial up a quality game plan built around a quick passing game and an emphasis on running the football, the Seahawks may still have a fighting chance at hanging around and potentially pulling an upset with Lock at the controls. Still just 27 years old, such an unexpected victory would be quite the feather in the backup's cap with free agency looming in March.
