QB Drew Lock has 'new lease on life' after trade to Seahawks

Quarterback Drew Lock failed to cement himself as the Denver Broncos' long-term answer at the sport's most important position across his first three NFL seasons and was then one of multiple individuals shipped to the Seattle Seahawks so Denver could land one-time Super Bowl champion signal-caller Russell Wilson in a blockbuster trade last month. 

Lock, a 2019 second-round draft selection, said shortly after that deal became official that "nothing has been promised" regarding his spot on the Seattle depth chart, and the Seahawks have since routinely been linked in rumors with Baker Mayfield now that the Cleveland Browns have Deshaun Watson serving as their new QB1. 

During Seattle's pre-draft press conference, head coach Pete Carroll offered some high praise for Lock, who presumably would be his starter over recently re-signed backup Geno Smith if the team had to play a game at some point this spring or early summer. 

"His first impression for me is that he’s really excited about the new energy of our club, the energy that he can feel from the players and the coaches about his opportunity," Carroll said of the 25-year-old, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "He’s upbeat and very comfortable with how everything’s gone so far. It’s been really quick, but he’s been open to say that and express that. It’s a new lease on life for him and he’s looking forward to taking full advantage of that. He’s coming in with his competitive hat on and ready to roll. It’s going to be really exciting to see how he fits in." 

Unless Seattle or some other team makes a move for Mayfield before this year's player-selection process ends on April 30, it's believed Cleveland will either have to package him with a draft asset in a trade to get his $18.858 million of fully guaranteed salary for 2022 off the books or simply cut the 27-year-old and eat the financial loss. Of course, it's possible Carroll and company truly want to find out if Lock can thrive in a new setting without having to worry about losing his job to Mayfield or any other proven commodity during training camp and the preseason.