There’s reason for optimism about Drew Lock as Seahawks’ starting QB

There is optimism within the Seattle Seahawks that injured quarterback Sam Darnold won’t be out for too long.

The team on Monday offered a brief update on what it described as a “unique” soft-tissue injury to Darnold’s glue that is considered “short-term,” though no hard timeline for return has been given for Seattle’s second-year starter.

The latest on Seahawks QB Sam Darnold’s ‘unique’ injury

While it is still uncertain exactly how long Darnold will be out, it has become clear that that Drew Lock will likely be Seattle’s starter this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

Can Lock keep the defending Super Bowl champions afloat while Darnold is out? The Athletic’s Jerry Brewer, a former writer at The Seattle Times, told Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob last week there is reason to be optimistic about Lock as the starter.

“Drew Lock’s talent is very clearly a starting quarterback in the NFL,” Brewer said. “His decision making, I think, is what cost him opportunities. But we’re in this era of quarterbacks who take a while to develop, and all of a sudden when they get their opportunity, they show you not only are they ready to be a starter in the NFL, but ready to be somebody that you can give a three-year, four-year contract to.

“We just saw how much Tampa Bay gave Baker Mayfield. And so, this idea that some people have about Lock that he was a bust and his eternal role is going to be backup quarterback, maybe not. Let’s see what he does with the shot.”

Bump’s take

Seahawks Radio Network analyst and former NFL wide receiver Michael Bumpus was discussing the Seahawks’ quarterback situation and shared a similar opinion to Brewer’s on Lock’s talent.

“I think it does,” Bumpus said on whether Lock’s talent is starting-quarterback caliber. “I think not a high-level starter. He’s the typical bridge quarterback that’s gonna give you… maybe two or three good years, allow the talent to develop around him, and if you put him in the right situation, he can succeed.”

Bumpus sees a lot of similarities between Darnold and Lock since both were failed starters early in their careers that went on to serve as backups in different stops.

“I think Sam is obviously more talented than Drew, but I think that Drew is the middle-tier quarterback that is good enough, I think, in the right situation to push you to the playoffs,” Bumpus said. “… Drew has been elevated, he’s been beat down, he’s been a starter, he’s been a backup, he went to New York, he comes back. He’s been through so much that he is comfortable with who he is, and that is a dangerous human being.”

Hear the full conversation with Jerry Brewer on Wyman and Bob this link, and the full conversation with Michael Bumpus on Bump and Stacy this link. 

Seattle Seahawks news and more

• Drew Lock showed off his best trait in Seahawks’ Week 1 win
• Did Seahawks’ defense or Patriots’ mistakes decide opener?
• NFC West: What Week 1 told us about Seahawks, Rams and 49ers

Related

Stacy Rost: The keys to Seahawks winning without Sam DarnoldDid Seahawks’ defense or Patriots’ mistakes decide opener?Drew Lock showed off his best trait in Seahawks’ Week 1 winStacy on NFC West: What Week 1 told us about Seahawks, Rams and 49ersWhat Bump learned about the Seahawks in Week 1Stacy on Seahawks: What I liked, didn’t love, and a big question after Week 1 win