Seahawks HC addresses QB Drew Lock's role for upcoming season

It wasn't long ago that Drew Lock was perceived as the quarterback of the future for the Denver Broncos. After a mediocre three years in Denver, Lock was sent to the Seattle Seahawks in the Russell Wilson trade last offseason. 

Lock would wind up not playing a snap in 2022. Geno Smith was named Seattle's starting QB and had a great season, throwing for 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

While Lock is now locked into QB2 duties, he played well enough in the Seahawks' preseason opener on Thursday night to earn praise from head coach Pete Carroll. 

"I thought Drew did really well tonight," Carroll said, adding he felt Lock was "in command."

Lock went 17-of-24 for 191 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in Seattle's 24-13 win over the Minnesota Vikings. 

Lock playing most of the game was by design, and the same construct will continue throughout the preseason. Lock needs to shake off the rust and be able to take the reins if Smith is ever to go down with an injury. 

"I want him to be ready to start games," Carroll said. "I want him to be ready to play football games and win championship games for us. He needs to play to do that—he sat around all last year, so this formula of him getting three quarters, that's just great for him to be out there playing football. So he's going to play a lot."

Lock acknowledged it felt good to finally be back out on the field competing, he said it felt weird not taking a snap last season. Even so, Lock's taking a selfless approach to it all. He knows this isn't a quarterback competition. Geno Smith is the guy in Seattle and Lock could be a valuable backup. 

"It was interesting going back out there feeling the flow of a game again, being the one in charge," Lock explained. "We do a great job in practice trying to simulate a game, but nothing compares to when you really step out there, moving the ball, trying to put points up."

Smith helped the Seahawks earn a playoff berth last season. And although it culminated in a 41-23 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card Round, Seattle even making the postseason was one of the bigger surprises in the NFL in 2022. 

The best Lock can do for now is stay ready like Carroll wants him to be. If Smith falters or gets hurt, Lock will be the next man up in the Pacific Northwest.