Mike Macdonald made a surprise announcement on Wednesday, ruling out Sam Darnold for Week 9’s game against the Arizona Cardinals due to a quad injury suffered late on Monday night. It’s fitting that after weeks of me saying “Let’s see Darnold get to face the Cardinals defense like Drew Lock did before we rush to judgment” that the Seahawks’ starter against the Cardinals will be …
Drew Lock.
On cue for this morning’s Seaside Joe newsletter about Darnold’s miscues and season performance requiring more context before Seattle says there’s a QB controversy, the Seahawks are making a change at the position due to an injury.
I don’t doubt that there are already conspiracy theories out there about whether Darnold is actually injured or if this is a soft benching — and who among us can say what’s the truth, really? — but Darnold has taken his share of painful-looking hits this season already.
Let’s hope that the offensive line, and everyone, plays better for Lock against the Cardinals this weekend.
It’s not hard to see Lock inviting more conversations about who the Seahawks should start at quarterback for the rest of the season based on this Sunday’s game.
The Cardinals rank 32nd in points allowed and 31st in net yards per pass attempt allowed, and just about every quarterback who they’ve faced (including Lock) has torched their secondary. Lock went 19-of-26 with 3 touchdowns against Arizona in Week 2, which is still the easiest win Seattle has had all year. The only game that comes as close is beating the Chiefs last week.
Lock won’t be the only new QB on the field.
Gardner Minshew has more sequels than the Friday the 13th franchise.
The Cardinals are turning to the former Washington State quarterback after he led Arizona back to a 33-30 overtime win against the Cowboys. Minshew was at least as good against Dallas as Lock was against Arizona, throwing three touchdowns despite only playing in 42% of the snaps after he replaced Jacoby Brissett.
If the Seahawks defense plays like they did on Monday night, I’d be worried about defending Trey McBride and Michael Wilson given the relative unpredictability of Minshew’s first start of 2026.
He has previously started for the Jaguars, Eagles, Colts, Raiders, and Chiefs. This will be the sixth team he’s started for and another opportunity to win a long-term job.
Lock may or may not get the same opportunity if the Seahawks beat the Cardinals in a blowout again. I’ll be very surprised if Darnold isn’t really just injured and starting again when he’s healthy — either Week 10 against the Raiders or Week 12 against the 49ers following a bye — but if Seattle gets back to scoring 30 points with Lock then it’s possible Macdonald sticks with the hot hand.
I wonder what the level of concern is if Lock’s elbow is not ready to go? Milroe will take more snaps than usual for a backup QB this week per MM’s press conference. I think the O-line will play better having had one real game together for the first time. They should improve as they get more time together.
Maybe this is why we went so run heavy in the fourth quarter?