Drew Lock showed off his best trait in Seahawks’ Week 1 win

The Seattle Seahawks’ bid to repeat as champions is off to a strong start, even with starting quarterback Sam Darnold leaving with a hip injury just one series into his season.

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Backup QB Drew Lock took over for Darnold and led the Seahawks to a 13-10 win over the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl rematch Wednesday, and though Lock and Seattle’s offense didn’t take off right away, he importantly avoided making any turnovers and took just one sack. Then in the second half, Lock and the Hawks struck with three unanswered scoring drives to come back and beat the Pats.

With Lock expected to serve as Seattle’s QB for at least next week’s game at Arizona, Seattle Sports’ Stacy Rost asked Seahawks Radio Network analyst and former NFL wide receiver Bryan Walters on Friday about Lock’s greatest strength. Walters pointed to what Lock did to amass 187 yards on 16-of-22 passing Wednesday.

“Getting the ball to his playmakers,” Walters answered. “Taking the quick pass, taking the easy pass. … I think one thing that Drew Lock’s really good at is just trusting the guys around him, making sure that he gets them in the right spot.”

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There was a “prime example” for Walters from Wednesday’s game: Lock’s 45-yard touchdown pass to star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who really was responsible for most of the yardage on the play.

“Fourth-and-1, little spot route – oh, there’s JSN wide open? Let me just flick it to him real quick and let him do the rest,” Walters said. “The stats go to Drew Lock – 45 yards, touchdown pass, explosive play for Drew Lock and JSN. But JSN did all that work.”

Catch and run. 45 yards. TOUCHDOWN! @jaxon_smith1

📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/6jud9zrgap

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 10, 2026

Lock should get some credit for taking advantage of a mistake by the Patriots to leave JSN free in the middle of the field on that play, too.

“I think JSN was shocked he was uncovered because really… the play’s designed to go to the running back, to the flat there,” Walters explained. “Fourth-and-1, get it to the running back, to the flat, and JSN is just kind of being a distraction in there and trying to make a linebacker go over the top so there’s a little more space. No one covered him. No one covered him.

“(Star Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez) went with the running back and the linebacker went past JSN and immediately regretted it. Good find by Drew Lock.”

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