Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback Geno Smith has been dealing with a number of injuries during the 2023 NFL season. As a result, backup QB Drew Lock has needed to come in to relieve Smith. What did the Lock trade look like and how did he land with the Seahawks?
How Did Drew Lock End Up in Seattle?
Smith, a 2022 Pro Bowler, has passed for 2,918 yards this season with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions, one of which happened two weeks ago when the Niners beat the Seahawks 31-13 on Thanksgiving.
The 49ers hosting the Seahawks is huge for the NFC playoff race. A San Francisco win paired with a Philadelphia loss would move the 49ers to the top of the NFC. With Smith out, it is more likely that the Niners will come away with a win.
Head coach Pete Carroll has consistently praised Lock for his work ethic and preparation. Carroll expressed confidence should he have to step in as the starter on Sunday.
“He’s been waiting for this opportunity and looking forward to it and preparing for it,” Carroll told reporters following practice. “If this comes to pass, then he is ready as he can get. I’m excited about him getting a chance to play.”
Lock also expressed his excitement when it came to joining Seattle on social media.
“Officially a Seahawk and officially pumped! Thank you for welcoming me to your great city and first class organization,” Lock wrote via Twitter statement. “You have set the standard of winning, I understand where that bar is set. Can’t wait to play in the loudest stadium in front of the best fans in the NFL! I respect the history, excited for the opportunity to write more, wearing the #2.
“Proud to be a Seahawk!”
MORE: Drew Lock’s Salary and Contract
Now in his fifth NFL season, Lock has more in-game experience than most backups in the league. Drafted in the second round by the Broncos in 2019, Denver named him the starter late in his rookie season. He played well with seven touchdown passes while leading the team to four wins in five starts. However, Lock took a step back in 2020, throwing a league-high 15 interceptions in 13 starts.
Beat out by Teddy Bridgewater for the starting position the following fall, Lock appeared in six games with three starts in his final season in Denver, throwing for 787 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
This led to him being included in a deal to acquire Russell Wilson from Seattle. On March 8, 2022, the Seahawks and Broncos agreed on a blockbuster trade. Seattle traded Wilson away for a significant draft package from Denver, with the hopes that both teams involved could get a fresh start with the move.
In the trade, the Broncos received Wilson and DL Eyioma Uwazurike (2022 fourth-round pick). The Seahawks, meanwhile, received Lock, TE Noah Fant, DL Shelby Harris, and a plethora of picks.
Lock didn’t see a regular-season snap last year and has just four completions on 12 attempts over two games played in 2023.
“I know for him, he’s been really disciplined about the way he focuses every week to make himself know and believe that he’s going to be playing, as that guy has to do,” Carroll said. “If it changes this week, we’ll see the benefits of all his hard work to focus like you need to focus to maintain what it takes to play this game.”
Lock will earn his first start since Jan. 8, 2022. In 26 appearances (21 starts) in his five-year career, he’s completed 58.9% of his passes and averaged 184.8 yards per game.
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