This year’s version of the Seattle Seahawks will look a lot different than last year’s. Look no further than their quarterback room for evidence. This offseason, Mike Macdonald’s team shipped Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, allowing him to rejoin former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll.
With its starter for the past three campaigns no longer in town, Seattle remade its collection of passers by spending in free agency, using draft capital, and bringing back a familiar face.
Eighth-year signal-caller Sam Darnold is rightfully penciled in as the starter after signing a three-year, $100.5 million deal. The Seahawks are quite literally banking on him to replicate the success he had last season with the Minnesota Vikings. Who’s behind him in the case of poor play or injury?
Who Are the Seattle Seahawks’ Quarterbacks?
The Seahawks are getting set to see if their investment in Darnold pays dividends. Behind the former USC star, though, are a promising rookie with the tools to grow into a legitimate NFL signal-caller and another passer with a good deal of pro experience.
It’s Darnold’s show in the Pacific Northwest for now, but the quarterbacks behind him will challenge him to grow and thrive with his new team. Here’s a closer look at the three signal-callers currently on the Seahawks’ depth chart.
Sam Darnold
Darnold hopes to have found his gridiron home after playing for three teams in as many years. After being taken No. 3 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, he’s been thrown aside four times. But a breakout year in Kevin McConnell’s Vikings attack helped him earn a big payday.
With Minnesota last season, Darnold went 14-3 and passed for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl invitation. The Vikings chose to roll with J.J. McCarthy this time around, which led to Darnold choosing Seattle.
Jalen Milroe
Schneider and Macdonald added Milroe as a developmental piece in the quarterback room, hoping to eventually maximize a special skillset. Having climbed behind Darnold on the Seahawks’ first depth chart of the new campaign, it seems Milroe is already impressing decision-makers.
Over two go-rounds as Alabama’s starter, Milroe showcased an enticing dual-threat ability. Last fall, he rushed for 20 scores –you read that right – and hit the mark on 64.3% of his pass attempts.
Drew Lock
Lock spent two seasons in Seattle from 2022-23 after arriving via the trade that sent Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos. He made a pair of starts during the latter campaign and orchestrated a 92-yard game-winning drive during a Monday night primetime game against Philadelphia.
He returned to the Seahawks after spending the 2024 season with the New York Giants, who also retooled their entire quarterback room this offseason.
Preview for Chiefs vs. Seahawks Preseason Week 2 Game
The Chiefs come into preseason Week 2 after a 20-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Patrick Mahomes threw just one pass in that game, and he is not expected to play on Friday night against the Seahawks.
In the two-time NFL MVP’s absence, Gardner Minshew and Bailey Zappe will have opportunities to solidify their spots as the QB2 and QB3 on the team, respectively. The Chiefs begin their regular season in Brazil against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Seahawks tied their first preseason game 23-23 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Sam Darnold did not play last week, but Jalen Milroe got some valuable playing time to showcase his talent.
The rookie quarterback completed 6 of 10 passes for 61 yards and rushed for 38 yards on three carries. Drew Lock, who is currently the Seahawks’ QB2, threw for 147 yards, one touchdown, and an interception last week against the Raiders.
