Following a strong 14-3 finish to the regular season, the Seattle Seahawks clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye.
Hours before the Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round on Saturday, concern continued to circle around starting quarterback Sam Darnold.
Darnold suddenly hit Thursday’s injury report with an oblique injury and is questionable to play. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters of his participation on Friday, “It’s a walk-thru tempo. So, it’s part of our plan right now on how we handled today.”
If he can’t go, Darnold hasn’t thrown a ball since Thursday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, backup Drew Lock will start. “He had a great practice,” Schefter said of Lock. “He’s ready to go if Sam Darnold can’t play.”
GettySeahawks quarterback Drew Lock is ready to go against the 49ers in the AFC divisional round.
Lock appeared in just five games this season, completing 2-of-3 passes for 15 yards. During his seven years in the league, he’s started 28 games during which he’s completed 578 passes for 6,369 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions.
While all signs point toward Darnold starting, whether he can remain in the game for all four quarters remains to be seen. Cheering on the Seahawks, whether Lock plays or not, his wife, Natalie Lock. Shortly before the playoffs started, Natalie didn’t hold back her opinion on Seattle.
Natalie Lock’s ‘Favorite’ Place for Drew Lock to Play Is Seattle
Lock, drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft, landed in Seattle in the blockbuster Russell Wilson trade. After head coach Mike Macdonald was first hired before the 2024 season, the Seahawks underwent a major roster shakeup and Lock moved on to sign with the New York Giants.
Lock returned to Seattle ahead of the 2025 season. While reflecting on this past year, Natalie made her opinion on returning to the Emerald City clear.
She wrote on Instagram, “2025 was the year we became 4!!! 💌 A year of a whole lot of love. A lot of growing & learning as mom + dad (the best thing in the world). Moving back to our favorite place for football.”
“A year leaving us missing our grandy & blue so much,” she continued. “A year with some really special people by our side!! A year that has us excited for what is to come. A big year of faith. So many things & so much to always be grateful for!! I love this little family of mine so so so much and am so lucky to call them mine. see you soon 2026!!!”
Natalie shared similar thoughts before the season started. After Lock signed a two-year, $5 million contract to return to Seattle, “YEAR 7!!!! 🏈🙌🏼🥹💙 & back in the most special place!!” she posted on Instagram.
Drew Lock Married Wife, Natalie, in 2023
After several years of dating, Lock and Natalie tied the knot in April 2023 at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida. On January 15, 2024 the couple welcomed their first child, Layton Andrew.
Natalie posted on Instagram, “The sweetest little boy is finally in our arms & we are so in love! Our hearts are forever full🤍.. & to make this day even more special, he arrived on my grandma’s birthday. Our biggest blessing!”
The Locks welcome their second baby, a daughter named Landry Isabela, on December 4.
Seahawks QB Drew Lock’s Wife Makes Feelings on Seattle Extremely Clear