Seahawks’ Drew Lock explains mentality for Week 1 heroics after Sam Darnold injury

A celebration of last season’s title run quickly became a test of Seattle’s depth. The Seahawks raised their Super Bowl banner before Wednesday night’s opener, then lost starting quarterback Sam Darnold to a right hip injury on their first possession. Backup signal-caller Drew Lock, a former second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Missouri, entered for the second series and eventually helped Seattle erase a 10-point deficit.

His 45-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba tied the game before the Seahawks completed a 13-10 win over the New England Patriots. Afterward, Lock explained why the sudden call to the field never caught him unprepared during an interview with Scott Van Pelt of ESPN’s “SportsCenter”.

Drew Lock prepared for his opportunity

Darnold suffered the injury when former Seahawks defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones, now in his first year with the Pats, sacked him on third down. He walked off without assistance but went directly into the medical tent before leaving for the locker room.

Initial X-rays and a CT scan , according to Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald. Darnold will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the injury.

Lock, who attempted only three passes during the 2025 NFL regular season, suddenly had to direct Seattle’s offense for nearly the entire game.

“It’s the same thing every week,” Lock . “I don’t know when my number is going to get called. I’ve done everything up to this point, from elementary school, middle school, high school and college, to be ready for moments like this. It’d be a shame if I wasn’t ready.”

That preparation helped Lock complete 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba rewarded Lock’s trust

The Seahawks until Jason Myers made a 30-yard field goal late in the third quarter. Seattle’s defense then created the break its offense needed when Nehemiah Pritchett intercepted Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.

Facing fourth-and-1 from the New England 45-yard line, Lock found Smith-Njigba uncovered. The receiver .

“If we’re talking about the fourth-down conversion touchdown, the play was short flat, short corner and then the arrow,” Lock said. “Jax was the third read on that. But like you said, there really wasn’t anybody on him. They covered the short flat early, and when No. 11 is open, you should probably give him the ball because he can go do things like that.”

Smith-Njigba finished with eight receptions for 122 yards. His biggest play allowed Lock to turn a difficult night into an unlikely piece of Week 1 Seahawks history.

Seahawks embrace their new championship mentality

Seattle’s defense intercepted Maye on each of New England’s final three possessions. Julian Love’s takeaway helped set up Myers’ go-ahead 26-yard field goal, while Josh Jobe ended the game with an interception in the end zone.

Lock said knowing the NFL’s best defense, in his opinion, stood on the opposite sideline gave Seattle’s offense the . He also acknowledged that the Seahawks must clean up their penalties and empty possessions.

The larger message matched the approach Macdonald has emphasized since Seattle won the Super Bowl.

“It’s not running it back. It’s running forward,” Lock said. “This is a new team. It’s about finding out what the 2026 Seahawks are all about. If tonight is any indication of how tough and resilient this group is, it’d be a really good sign.”

Darnold’s health now becomes the Seahawks’ biggest concern. However, Lock proved Seattle has a backup who can keep the season moving forward. The Seahawks visit the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 20.

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