He’s back: Seahawks reunite with QB Drew Lock, per reports

Apr 11, 2025, 12:32 PM | Updated: 4:13 pm

Editor, Seattle Sports

The Seattle Seahawks have made a number of surprising moves this offseason.

Well, add another to the list.

Seahawks GM addresses Geno Smith’s recent comments

Quarterback Drew Lock is returning to Seattle to be the backup for Sam Darnold, according to reports by multiple NFL insiders including Tom Pelissero of NFL Network and Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports.

Didn’t see that one coming, did you? And for good reason: the Seahawks roster still includes QB Sam Howell, who they traded for last offseason to back up Geno Smith.

Seattle is signing Lock to a two-year, $5 million contract, per ESPN.

The 28-year-old Lock left the Seahawks in free agency last year, signing a one-year, $5 million deal with the New York Giants, where he competed for a starting job against Daniel Jones. He played in eight games in 2024, including five starts, and completed 107 of 181 pass attempts (59.1%) for 1,071 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. Lock also rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns on 18 attempts (7.4 yards per rush).

DREW LOCK. 30-YARD RUSHING TD.

📺: #NYGvsDAL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Kk6JWCWJh6

— NFL (@NFL) November 28, 2024

Seattle initially acquired Lock from the Denver Broncos as part of its return in the Russell Wilson trade in 2022. Coincidentally enough, the Giants signed Wilson this offseason to be their new QB.

Lock was a second-round NFL Draft pick by the Broncos in 2019 out of Missouri, and he started 18 games for Denver in his first two pro seasons. He started all 13 games he appeared in during the 2020 season, throwing for 2,933 yards, 16 touchdowns and a league-high 15 interceptions on 57.3% passing.

Lock originally competed with Smith to be Wilson’s successor as the Seahawks’ starting QB in 2022, but Smith won the battle in training camp and the preseason, then went on to a breakout season where he made the Pro Bowl. Lock ultimately appeared in four games for Seattle with two starts in 2023 while Smith dealt with injuries, completing 48 of 76 passes (63.2%) for 543 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.

Stacy: What Lock’s return after Geno’s trade tells us about Seahawks

Lock’s brief stint starting for the Seahawks included a 20-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 18, 2023 where he led Seattle on a game-winning drive that ended with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, putting the Hawks ahead by three points with 28 seconds remaining. Lock threw 22 of 33 (66.7%) for 208 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions in that game.

Lock to JSN for the lead!

📺: #PHIvsSEA on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/bbJNB6yPkz pic.twitter.com/t7q0x5073q

— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2023

Howell’s future with the Seahawks now comes into question. He appeared in just two games (no starts) last season for Seattle, completing 5 of 14 pass attempts for 24 yards and an interception. A fifth-round draft pick by Washington in 2022 out of North Carolina, Howell started all 17 games for the Commanders in 2023, leading the NFL in both pass attempts (612) and interceptions (21). He completed 63.4% of his throws that year and completed 21 touchdowns.

What does Lock return mean for Howell’s Seahawks future?

Seattle has turned over a lot on the offensive side of the ball this offseason. The Seahawks traded Smith to Pete Carroll’s Las Vegas Raiders, dealt wide receiver DK Metcalf to Pittsburgh, and let veteran wideout Tyler Lockett go. They then added 2024 Pro Bowl QB Sam Darnold and receivers Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency.