Former Giants Backup Finds New Home

When the New York Giants signed Jameis Winston to a two-year deal in March, the odds of quarterback Drew Lock returning for a second stint in East Rutherford seemed slim. When they added Russell Wilson to the quarterback room days later, those chances quickly diminished.

Lock hit free agency the same man he entered it a year prior: a volatile backup with plenty of arm talent and starting experience. After the dust of the quarterback carousel settled, he found his new home.

The former Giants backup signed with one of his old teams, the Seattle Seahawks, in free agency, per Jordan Schultz. The details of his contract aren’t yet clear.

Lock will return to the second string, backing up Sam Darnold, an option New York didn’t seem interested in but Seattle felt was worth $100 million. He’s a decent fit in offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s offense, can help stretch the field if need be, and has the experience of a young quarterback with high expectations to share with Darnold.

Among the Seahawks faithful, Lock is a legend. Before the Philadelphia Eagles crash landed in 2023, they were a force in the NFC and threatened to knock Seattle out of the playoffs. Lock, playing for an injured Geno Smith, was trailing 17-13 with under two minutes remaining. On the final play of a 10-snap, all-pass drive, Lock found receiver Jaxon Smith Njigba in the end zone for perhaps the most impressive play of their collective careers.

He saved the season, and while the Seahawks ultimately missed the playoffs, Lock had made his mark. Pressed into action, he rose to the occasion and earned himself another opportunity.

That opportunity came in East Rutherford. Once again, Lock flashed, temporarily showcasing the special traits that earned him fans in the 2019 NFL Draft. In New York, though, he’ll go down as a villain.

Lock is the quarterback that cost the Giants the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and the rights to Miami passer Cam Ward.

For one Sunday in December, Lock looked like the best quarterback in football. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 309 yards and four touchdowns. He added a score on the ground and beat the Indianapolis Colts 45-33. It was the best game of Lock’s career, and a portion of the fanbase will never forgive him for it.

Perhaps the third pick will pan out for the Giants and exceed whoever the Tennessee Titans take first. Maybe that will be enough to earn him his good graces.

If it’s any consolation, he won’t have to face New York’s fans in 2025, as the Seahawks do not play the Giants.