Drew Lock spent nearly all of the 2025 season holding a clipboard while the Seattle Seahawks marched to a Super Bowl championship. On Wednesday night, with the new season barely minutes old, the veteran quarterback grabbed his helmet and delivered the kind of resilient, late-game performance that has defined a career full of detours. Lock replaced injured starter Sam Darnold on the opening drive and led two fourth-quarter scoring drives as the Seahawks opened the 2026 NFL season with a 13-10 victory over the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl LX rematch at Lumen Field.
Lock completed 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown, while Seattle's defense intercepted Patriots quarterback Drake Maye three times in the fourth quarter to turn a frustrating night into a winning start to the franchise's title defense.
How Drew Lock Seized the Moment After Sam Darnold's Injury
The worry arrived almost immediately. On Seattle's opening drive, Darnold was sacked by Dre'Mont Jones on third down and limped off with a hip injury, heading first to the medical tent and then to the locker room before the next possession.
Enter Lock, who had thrown just three passes during the entire 2025 season. Seattle's offense stagnated behind him — the Seahawks were held to a single field goal through three quarters and trailed 10-0 — before Lock found his rhythm when it mattered most.
After an interception by Nehemiah Pritchett, Lock connected with receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a 45-yard strike on fourth-and-1 to tie the game. Julian Love then intercepted Maye on the ensuing drive, and Jason Myers' 26-yard field goal put Seattle ahead 13-10. A toe-tapping interception in the end zone by Josh Jobe on New England's final possession sealed the victory.
"It was a blast," Lock said. "So proud of everyone around me tonight on the offensive side of the ball. I can't say enough about the defense turning over the ball."
Head coach Mike Macdonald praised his team's composure after the sluggish start. "We didn't panic. We still liked our plan," Macdonald said. "We didn't need to change what we were doing. The guys were just really excited to go back out there and play."
From Denver to a Super Bowl Ring: Drew Lock's Winding Road Back to Seattle
Lock's 2026 opener was the latest — and most satisfying — twist in a journey that began with high expectations and rarely followed the script.
- 2019: Selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round (42nd overall) of the NFL draft, Lock won four of his five starts as a rookie and tied John Elway for the most wins by a first-year Broncos quarterback.
- 2022: Traded to Seattle as part of the blockbuster Russell Wilson trade.
- 2023: Re-signed with the Seahawks and threw a game-winning 29-yard touchdown pass to Smith-Njigba in a Monday Night Football comeback over the Philadelphia Eagles.
- 2024: Signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the New York Giants, starting five games.
- April 2025: Returned to Seattle on a two-year, $5 million contract as the backup to Sam Darnold.
- February 2026: Earned his first Super Bowl ring as the Seahawks beat the Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX.
- September 9, 2026: Replaced Darnold and led the Seahawks past the Patriots 13-10 in the season opener.
Why the Seahawks' Backup Plan Matters Beyond One Game
The win mattered for reasons that extend well beyond one September night. Seattle entered 2026 as defending champions but with real questions about its depth behind Darnold, and Lock's steady hand provided an immediate answer.
Macdonald said initial tests on Darnold's hip showed no broken bone, calling the news "positive" — but the fact that Lock stepped in cold and closed the game underscored why the Seahawks prioritized bringing him back on a team-friendly deal. Lock, who won just eight starts in three seasons as Denver's quarterback before bouncing to Seattle and then New York, has spent much of his career as a symbol of unfulfilled potential. On Wednesday, he was simply a reliable veteran doing his job.
The defense did the heavy lifting. Maye, last season's MVP runner-up, threw three fourth-quarter interceptions, and a unit that raised its championship banner before kickoff looked every bit capable of carrying Seattle again. Smith-Njigba captured the mood: "We knew coming in it was going to be a four-quarter game and that's who we are. Whatever it looks like in the first half, we're going to keep fighting until the clock hits triple zero."
There was historical symmetry, too. This was only the third time a Super Bowl rematch has opened the following season, and the first since 2016, when Denver celebrated its title with a win over Carolina. Maye accepted blame for the final turnover that ended New England's last chance: "I was trying to get rid of it... It was unacceptable."
In a league where competent backup quarterbacks are a premium, Lock's night served as a reminder of his value. Drafted in 2019 with first-round hype that never fully materialized, he has now won a Super Bowl as a reserve and delivered a clutch, nationally televised win — the kind of résumé that keeps journeyman quarterbacks employed for a decade.
Where Things Stand: Darnold's Injury and Seattle's 1-0 Start
The Seahawks begin the year 1-0, while the Patriots fall to 0-1 — a losing start compounded by the loss of offseason acquisition A.J. Brown, who departed in the third quarter with an injured right ankle and did not return.
For Lock, the victory added another chapter to a story that has rarely been linear. His 16-of-22 effort produced a 113.3 passer rating — among the cleanest outings of a career that includes stops in Denver, Seattle and New York. It also gave him a signature moment less than eight months after earning a Super Bowl ring while holding a clipboard.
What's Next for Lock and the Seahawks
All eyes now turn to Darnold's hip. If the veteran is unable to play, Lock would be in line to start when the Seahawks visit the Arizona Cardinals on September 20. The Patriots, meanwhile, return home to host the Pittsburgh Steelers the same day.
For a quarterback who has spent his career bouncing between backup and starter, Wednesday's performance may have earned Lock more than a win — it may have earned him another real opportunity. Seattle's defense looks championship-caliber, and Lock just proved he can close games when called upon.
Key Takeaways: Lock's Comeback Night in Seattle
- Lock replaced Sam Darnold on the opening drive and finished 16-of-22 for 187 yards and a touchdown.
- Seattle intercepted Drake Maye three times in the fourth quarter to complete a 13-10 comeback.
- The win came in a Super Bowl LX rematch on a night the Seahawks raised their championship banner.
- Darnold's hip injury is not believed to involve a broken bone, but his Week 2 status is uncertain.
- Lock, a Super Bowl LX champion as a backup, posted a 113.3 passer rating in one of the most efficient games of his career.
