Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald sticks with Sam Darnold at quarterback
Macdonald ruled out a quarterback change on October 16 after Seattle’s overtime loss to Denver, saying the team can address its turnovers with Darnold as its starter.
Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said on Friday, October 16, that he was not considering a quarterback change after Sam Darnold threw two interceptions in an overtime loss to the Denver Broncos. Seattle will keep Darnold as its starter while it works to reduce turnovers, Macdonald said during an appearance on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk.
Asked directly on the radio show whether he was considering a switch, Macdonald answered, ‘No. No,’ according to Seahawks Wire’s account of the exchange. He described backup Drew Lock as a starting-caliber quarterback but said he believed Seattle could find solutions with Darnold. That leaves Darnold in place after consecutive losses to San Francisco and Denver brought the Seahawks to 3-3.
Why Macdonald is backing Darnold after the Denver loss
Macdonald reiterated his position at a later press conference, according to ProFootballTalk. ‘I think we have a lot of faith in Sam,’ he said. Macdonald acknowledged that the team had turned the ball over more than it wanted and said there were things the Seahawks could do to help Darnold play better. He called the quarterback ‘definitely part of the solution.’
Darnold completed 27 of 51 passes for 278 yards without a touchdown against Denver, according to Seahawks Wire. His two interceptions came in the fourth quarter and overtime. Pro Football Network reported that the second set up Wil Lutz’s winning 53-yard field goal in the Broncos’ 17-14 victory. The defeat gave Seattle its second straight loss, sharpening attention on the decision to keep Darnold under center.
The [overtime loss to Denver](/news/super-bowl-champions-slump-again-as-darnold-s-picks-cost-seahawks-against-broncos-718627ef2d8f4fe9) followed a stretch in which Darnold threw at least two interceptions in three of his previous four games, each a Seattle loss, ProFootballTalk reported. In five starts this season, he has completed 60.4% of his passes for 1,033 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also threw an interception in Seattle’s Week 4 win over the Chargers, finishing that game with 168 passing yards.
Drew Lock remains Seattle’s backup
Lock gives Macdonald an alternative at quarterback, but the coach’s Friday answer kept the focus on improving the offense with Darnold. ProFootballTalk reported that Lock protected the ball while playing in the season opener and Seattle’s Week 2 win over the Cardinals during Darnold’s absence following a hip injury. Darnold has since returned, and Macdonald’s comments make clear that the recent interceptions have not prompted a change of starter.
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Sources and context
- Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald answers if he will make a switch at quarterbackSeahawks Wire (republished by Yahoo)
- Mike Macdonald on Sam Darnold: He's definitely part of the solutionProFootballTalk / NBC Sports (republished by Yahoo)
- ‘Hope He Doesn’t Trust His Guys Too Much,’ ‘Increasingly Worried’ — Seahawks Fans Call Out HC Mike Macdonald for Sticking With Sam DarnoldPro Football Network (republished by Yahoo; references ESPN’s Brady Henderson for the question context)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.