Head coach Mike Macdonald addressed the situation when asked about potential quarterback changes during a visit to Seattle Sports 710. He made it clear he did not plan to bench Darnold. “No, no,” he stated when pressed on the possibility of a switch. Macdonald emphasized his belief in Darnold’s overall performance this season, noting that while there are times when Darnold must protect the football better, the coaching staff views the issues as solvable with the current quarterback.
Since returning from a season-opening injury, Darnold has completed just over 60 percent of his passes for a total of 1,020 yards, with seven touchdowns to seven interceptions. His latest game against Denver saw him complete 27 of 51 passes for 278 yards, with no touchdown passes and two interceptions, while his team absorbed five sacks.
The first costly interception occurred late in the fourth quarter. Seattle, trailing by three points, had moved into Denver territory and faced a critical third-and-1 at the Broncos’ 39-yard line with 1:31 left on the clock. Darnold targeted a completion to Tory Horton, but Denver cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine read the play and intercepted at the Broncos’ 31-yard line, effectively ending the drive and keeping Seattle from taking the lead.
The second interception proved even more damaging. On a third-and-7 from Seattle’s 28-yard line with under a minute remaining, Darnold attempted a pass toward Rasheed Shaheed along the sideline. Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian anticipated the throw, making the interception at Seattle’s 43-yard line and returning it for no gain. The turnover sealed the loss and left Seattle with little margin for error in the closing moments.
Darnold took responsibility in the aftermath, acknowledging the need to protect the football and recognizing that the defense and special teams have performed well for the team. “When you have a defense and special teams group that’s playing the way they are for us, I’ve just got to protect the football,” he said. “Dropping back and taking what they give me, I feel like I did a pretty good job in the first half, and then late in the second half, those two plays, you can’t have it.”
Despite the ironclad stance on keeping Darnold as the starter, there has been outside speculation about potential contingency plans. Some analysts have suggested giving backup quarterback Drew Lock an extended opportunity, particularly if the offense continues to struggle. Lock stepped in during the season opener against the New England Patriots after Darnold was injured and then started in Week 2. In that stretch, Lock delivered an impressive command of the offense, completing about 73 percent of his passes for 422 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions, numbers that have fueled discussions about whether a leadership change might be warranted if the struggles persist.
Coach Macdonald has expressed appreciation for Lock as a high-quality backup who can serve as a starting-level quarterback, noting that the team did not commit turnovers while Lock was at the helm. Nevertheless, he remains committed to Darnold as the team’s starting quarterback moving forward. “I understand we have a great backup quarterback in Drew, and Drew is a great quarterback. He’s a starting-level quarterback, and we didn’t turn the ball over when Drew played, and we have takeaway issues. But these things we have to attack as if they’re in our control and moving forward,” Macdonald stated.
Looking ahead, Darnold is set to start against the Chiefs, at least for the near term. The next several weeks are likely to be decisive in evaluating whether the quarterback situation remains stable or if coaching staff and front office begin to explore alternate options. A strong performance against a formidable opponent could reinforce the decision to stay the course, while continued turnover struggles might intensify discussions about whether a switch is necessary to maximize the team’s chances of competing for a playoff run or a deeper playoff push.
In the broader context, the Seahawks are navigating a challenging schedule with a quarterback who has shown both promise and imperfection in equal measure. The coaching staff’s confidence in Darnold’s ability to steady the offense remains evident, yet the clock is ticking. The rest of the season will reveal whether the current plan holds or if the team pivots to leverage the potential of its depth at quarterback.
As Seattle prepares for its upcoming game against Kansas City, fans and analysts will be watching closely how the offense evolves. If Darnold can minimize turnovers and lead scoring drives, the momentum could swing in his favor and solidify his role as the starter for the foreseeable future. If not, the door remains open for a broader discussion about calling on a different signal-caller to maximize the roster’s talents and keep the championship window viable for the defense and special teams units that have contributed significantly this season.
