Drew Lock
Drew Lock (born November 10, 1996) is an American football quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL).[1] Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 228 pounds, he is known for his strong arm and mobility, having rushed for 431 yards and 3 touchdowns over his professional career.[2] Lock played college football at the University of Missouri, where he amassed 12,193 passing yards and 93 passing touchdowns from 2015 to 2018, earning first-team All-SEC honors in 2017 and second-team honors in 2018.[3] He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.[2] Lock's NFL career began with the Broncos, where he appeared in 34 games from 2019 to 2021, starting 21 and compiling 5,837 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions.[4] In September 2022, he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks as part of the package that sent Russell Wilson to Denver, though he did not play that season.[5] Lock saw action in four games for Seattle in 2023, starting one, before signing with the New York Giants in 2024, where he started eight games and threw for 1,000 yards.[4] In April 2025, he returned to the Seahawks on a two-year contract, serving as a backup early in the season with limited appearances, including 15 passing yards in three games as of November 2025.[6][2] Throughout his career, Lock has demonstrated dual-threat capabilities, with 3 rushing touchdowns highlighting his ability to extend plays, though he has faced challenges with consistency and turnovers, recording 28 interceptions in 47 games played.[4]Early years
Childhood and family background
Drew Lock was born on November 10, 1996, in Columbia, Missouri.[2] He was raised in Lee's Summit, Missouri, on a 10-acre family homestead shared with his father's cousin's family, located about 30 minutes southeast of Kansas City.[7] This rural setting provided a stable environment during his early years, where he developed a close-knit family dynamic.[8] Lock's family played a significant role in shaping his upbringing. His father, Andy Lock, was a former offensive tackle who played college football at the University of Missouri and briefly entered the NFL with the New York Giants before an injury ended his career; Andy later co-owned several restaurants in the Kansas City area.[7] His mother, Laura Lock, grew up in Centralia, Missouri, and was a standout high school basketball player who later worked as a teacher and school administrator.[7] Lock has a younger sister, Claire, born about three and a half years after him, with whom he shared a close sibling bond; Claire followed in the family's athletic tradition as a basketball player, becoming a Division I prospect.[7][9] From a young age, Lock displayed enthusiasm for sports, influenced heavily by his parents' backgrounds. His father introduced him to football early, tossing a Nerf ball with the four-year-old Lock in 2000, while his mother's basketball legacy sparked his initial passion for the sport, leading him to play indoor Nerf basketball and develop ambidextrous skills.[8] He also enjoyed outdoor activities like fishing with family and friends, competing to catch the most or largest fish, which highlighted his competitive nature and need for constant activity during childhood.[10] These early experiences fostered his athletic development before organized high school sports.High school career
Drew Lock attended Lee's Summit High School in Lee's Summit, Missouri, where he developed into a standout quarterback.[5] Over his high school career, Lock amassed 5,783 passing yards, 63 touchdowns, and just 12 interceptions, with limited action as a freshman before emerging as the starter in subsequent seasons.[11] As a junior in 2013, he threw for 3,062 yards and 35 touchdowns with seven interceptions, showcasing his arm strength and decision-making.[11] His senior year in 2014 was particularly dominant, as he completed 206 of 312 passes for 2,717 yards and 28 touchdowns with only five interceptions in 10 games, helping lead the Tigers to a strong season.[11][12] Lock's performances earned him significant recognition, including first-team all-state honors from the Missouri Football Coaches Association in Class 5.[13] He was named the Kansas City Star All-Metro Player of the Year and received the Thomas A. Simone Award as the top football player in the Kansas City area.[12][14] These accolades highlighted his growth, motivated in part by his family's athletic background.[15] Lock was also a standout basketball player at Lee's Summit High School, standing over 6 feet tall as a freshman and earning a reputation as an ambidextrous ballhandler. In his varsity debut, he scored 26 points, including five three-pointers. Rated as a two-star recruit, he received scholarship offers from programs such as Oklahoma, Missouri, and Wichita State before focusing on football.[8][16][15] As a highly touted four-star recruit, Lock attracted interest from multiple top programs, including offers from Ohio State and Texas. He committed to the University of Missouri on April 9, 2014, opting for the in-state school to stay close to home and continue his development under the Tigers' coaching staff.[17]College career
University of Missouri
Drew Lock began his collegiate career at the University of Missouri as a true freshman in 2015, appearing in all 12 games and taking over as the starting quarterback for the final eight contests after the suspension of incumbent starter Maty Mauk.[18] Despite the challenges of transitioning to college football, Lock showed flashes of potential with his arm strength, though his accuracy was inconsistent at 49.0% completion.[7] In 2016, Lock started all 12 games as the Tigers finished with a 2-10 record. This period allowed him to refine his fundamentals, showing improvement with 3,399 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, setting the stage for his breakout as a full-time starter.[19] Lock solidified his position as Missouri's unquestioned starter in 2017, leading the Tigers to a 7-6 record while earning first-team All-SEC honors and setting school and SEC records with 44 passing touchdowns.[20] A highlight came in the season opener against Missouri State, where he threw for a school-record 521 yards and seven touchdowns in a 72-43 victory.[20] The following year, in 2018, Lock guided Missouri to an 8-5 finish, earning second-team All-SEC honors and capping his college tenure with improved poise under pressure.[7] One pivotal moment was the October 2018 upset over then-No. 11 Florida, a 38-17 win where Lock passed for 250 yards and three touchdowns, snapping a three-game skid and sparking a late-season surge.[21] Throughout his time at Missouri, Lock demonstrated notable development in accuracy—from 49.0% as a freshman to 62.9% in his final season—and decision-making, reducing turnovers while enhancing his pocket presence and ability to extend plays.[7] No major long-term injuries hampered his progress. Following the 2018 campaign, Lock declared for the 2019 NFL Draft, forgoing potential additional eligibility after four seasons as a starter.[22]College statistics
Drew Lock compiled his college statistics over four seasons (2015–2018) at the University of Missouri, appearing in 50 games and starting all of them.[3] His passing performance showed steady improvement, particularly in completion percentage and touchdown production, while his rushing contributions added mobility to his game.[18]Passing Statistics
The following table summarizes Lock's year-by-year passing stats, including completions (Cmp), attempts (Att), completion percentage (Cmp%), yards (Yds), touchdowns (TD), interceptions (Int), and passer rating (Rate). Bowl games are included in these season totals.[3]| Season | G | Cmp | Att | Cmp% | Yds | TD | Int | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 12 | 129 | 263 | 49.0 | 1,332 | 4 | 8 | 90.5 |
| 2016 | 12 | 237 | 434 | 54.6 | 3,399 | 23 | 10 | 133.3 |
| 2017 | 13 | 242 | 419 | 57.8 | 3,964 | 44 | 13 | 165.7 |
| 2018 | 13 | 275 | 437 | 62.9 | 3,498 | 28 | 8 | 147.7 |
| Career | 50 | 883 | 1,553 | 56.9 | 12,193 | 99 | 39 | 134.3 |
Rushing Statistics
Lock also contributed on the ground, with the table below detailing his rushing attempts (Att), yards (Yds), and touchdowns (TD) per season. Bowl games are included.[3]| Season | G | Att | Yds | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 12 | 52 | 28 | 1 |
| 2016 | 12 | 52 | 123 | 1 |
| 2017 | 13 | 44 | 111 | 1 |
| 2018 | 13 | 55 | 175 | 6 |
| Career | 50 | 203 | 437 | 9 |
Professional career
Denver Broncos era
Lock was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round, 42nd overall, of the 2019 NFL Draft after trading up from the 52nd pick, sending additional selections to the Cincinnati Bengals.[2] His college performance at Missouri, where he set school records for passing yards and touchdowns, positioned him as a high-upside prospect with a strong arm despite accuracy concerns.[23] A thumb injury sidelined him for the preseason and early regular season, but he made his debut in Week 10 following starter Joe Flacco's neck injury.[1] In his rookie year, Lock started the final five games, posting a 4-1 record while completing 100 of 156 passes for 1,020 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions. His debut resulted in a 23-20 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, followed by a 38-24 upset win against the Houston Texans where he threw for 309 yards and three touchdowns.[23] Additional wins came against the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions, helping the Broncos finish 7-9, though they missed the playoffs.[24] Lock's efficient play and poise in late-season starts generated optimism for his future as the franchise quarterback.[25] Entering 2020 as the full-time starter, Lock appeared in 13 games, starting all, but the Broncos went 4-9 in his outings amid offensive line struggles and injuries, finishing 5-11 overall. He completed 254 of 443 passes for 2,933 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, showing flashes of deep-ball accuracy but inconsistency with turnovers.[4] Notable performances included a 16-14 comeback win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 7, where he rallied from an 11-point deficit with 145 passing yards and a touchdown, and a 31-30 last-second victory against the Chargers in Week 8 on a 98-yard game-winning drive capped by a touchdown pass to Noah Fant. Another highlight was a career-high four touchdown passes in a 32-27 win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 14.[26] The 2021 season saw Lock sharing duties with newly acquired Teddy Bridgewater after a preseason competition, appearing in 6 games with three starts and going 0-3 as a starter. Limited to 67 completions on 111 attempts for 787 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, his role diminished due to Bridgewater's steadier play and Lock's injuries, including an ankle sprain.[4] He provided a spark in relief appearances, such as a Week 18 win over the Kansas City Chiefs where he threw no passing touchdowns but added two rushing scores in a 28-24 upset.[27] Following the season, Lock was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in March 2022 as part of the package acquiring Russell Wilson, ending his Broncos tenure.[28] Over three seasons with Denver, Lock started 21 of 24 appearances, compiling an 8-13 record, 4,740 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions with a 79.3 passer rating.[2] His tenure featured exciting wins and comeback ability but was hampered by inconsistency and team struggles, leaving him as a promising yet unproven talent at the time of his departure.[29]First stint with Seattle Seahawks
Drew Lock was acquired by the Seattle Seahawks from the Denver Broncos on March 16, 2022, as part of the trade package that sent quarterback Russell Wilson to Denver, which also included tight end Noah Fant, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, and multiple draft picks.[30] During his first season with the team, Lock served as the primary backup to Geno Smith, who emerged as the starter after winning the preseason competition. Lock dressed for all 17 regular-season games but did not enter any contests, as Smith led the Seahawks to a 9-8 record and a wild-card playoff berth, where they defeated the Los Angeles Rams before falling to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round.[31] Prior to the 2023 season, Lock re-signed with Seattle on March 20, 2023, to a one-year contract with a base value of $4 million and incentives that could reach $7.5 million.[32] He remained the backup to Smith through the early part of the year, appearing in relief during Week 4 against the New York Giants after Smith suffered a hip injury. Lock completed 9 of 16 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown in that game, helping secure a 24-3 victory.[33] Smith returned the following week, but injuries sidelined him again later in the season, leading to Lock appearing in four games, starting two, amid a tight playoff race. Lock entered in Week 11 at the Los Angeles Rams on November 19, 2023, after Smith's groin injury and went 2-for-6 for 3 yards with one interception in a 17-16 loss.[33] He made his first full start the next available week, in Week 14 at the 49ers on December 10, completing 22 of 34 passes for 269 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in a 42-19 defeat.[33] Lock then delivered a standout performance in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 18, going 22-for-33 for 208 yards and a touchdown, including a game-winning 29-yard score to wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba with 28 seconds remaining for a 20-17 upset victory that kept Seattle's postseason hopes alive.[33] Overall, Lock finished the regular season 1-1 as a starter, with his contributions providing stability during Smith's absences and helping the Seahawks clinch a wild-card spot with a 9-8 record before a 20-41 playoff loss to the Rams.[2]New York Giants tenure
Lock signed with the New York Giants as a free agent on March 12, 2024, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $5 million fully guaranteed, positioning him as the primary backup to starting quarterback Daniel Jones while competing with undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito for the role.[34] His prior experience as a reliable reliever for the Seattle Seahawks in 2023, where he went 1-1 in spot starts with efficient play, made him an attractive low-risk addition to bolster the Giants' quarterback depth amid questions about Jones' future.[35] Throughout the 2024 season, Lock appeared in eight games for the Giants, starting five from Week 13 onward after Jones was benched and later released, and DeVito suffered an injury. He compiled a 1-4 record as a starter, with notable challenges including five interceptions across his starts and a heel injury that sidelined him briefly in December. Despite the struggles, Lock delivered a standout performance in Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts, accounting for five total touchdowns—including four passing and one rushing—in a 45-33 victory, marking the Giants' highest-scoring game of the season and snapping an eight-game losing streak.[36][37] Earlier, in relief appearances, he showed flashes but was often hampered by turnovers and the team's porous offensive line, which led to frequent sacks. Lock's tenure intensified the Giants' ongoing quarterback instability, as his promotion over DeVito highlighted internal debates about experience versus familiarity, ultimately contributing to a carousel that saw three different starters in the final stretch. The Giants opted not to re-sign him following the season's end, allowing Lock to return to the Seahawks in free agency on April 16, 2025.[6]Second stint with Seattle Seahawks
On April 11, 2025, Drew Lock agreed to terms on a two-year, $5 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks, marking his return to the team as the primary backup quarterback to starter Sam Darnold.[38] The deal includes $2.25 million in guaranteed money, with base salaries of $1.75 million in 2025 and $2.25 million in 2026, positioning Lock to provide veteran depth behind Darnold while competing with rookie Jalen Milroe for the backup role.[39] Lock cited his prior familiarity with the Seahawks' offensive system from 2022–2023 and the coaching staff, including head coach Mike Macdonald, as key motivations for the return, noting the comfort of working in a known environment after a challenging season with the New York Giants.[40] He described Seattle as a "special place" with strong organizational momentum, emphasizing his readiness to step in if needed while mentoring younger quarterbacks.[41] Through the first ten games of the 2025 season, as of November 15, the Seahawks held a 7-2 record atop the NFC West, with Darnold leading the offense effectively.[42] Lock appeared in three games, completing 2 of 3 passes for 15 yards in relief during a Week 3 win over the New Orleans Saints on September 21, with no passing attempts in the other two appearances. His role has focused on preparation for potential starts amid the team's success. The contract extends Lock's tenure with Seattle through the 2026 season, offering stability as he continues as a reliable backup.[43][44]Career statistics and achievements
NFL regular season statistics
Drew Lock has appeared in 39 regular-season games over his NFL career, starting 28, with the majority of his starts occurring during his time with the Denver Broncos. His passing statistics reflect a career completion percentage of 59.6%, accumulating 6,369 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions, for a passer rating of 79.2.[2] The following table summarizes Lock's regular-season passing statistics by year and team:| Year | Team | G | GS | Cmp | Att | Cmp% | Yds | TD | Int | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | DEN | 5 | 5 | 100 | 156 | 64.1 | 1,020 | 7 | 3 | 89.7 |
| 2020 | DEN | 13 | 13 | 254 | 443 | 57.3 | 2,933 | 16 | 15 | 75.4 |
| 2021 | DEN | 6 | 3 | 67 | 111 | 60.4 | 787 | 2 | 2 | 80.4 |
| 2023 | SEA | 4 | 2 | 48 | 76 | 63.2 | 543 | 3 | 3 | 81.2 |
| 2024 | NYG | 8 | 5 | 107 | 181 | 59.1 | 1,071 | 6 | 5 | 75.5 |
| 2025 | SEA | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 66.7 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 78.5 |
| Career | - | 39 | 28 | 578 | 970 | 59.6 | 6,369 | 34 | 28 | 79.2 |
| Year | Team | Att | Yds | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | DEN | 18 | 72 | 0 |
| 2020 | DEN | 44 | 160 | 3 |
| 2021 | DEN | 10 | 53 | 2 |
| 2023 | SEA | 5 | 14 | 0 |
| 2024 | NYG | 18 | 133 | 2 |
| 2025 | SEA | 5 | -5 | 0 |
| Career | - | 100 | 427 | 7 |