After one year away, Drew Lock is a Seahawk once again.
The Seahawks signed the veteran quarterback on Tuesday, bringing him back to Seattle after Lock spent the 2024 season with the New York Giants. And for Lock, a return to Seattle with his wife, Natalie and their 1-year-old son, Layton, was a dream scenario this offseason.
"There's a lot of special memories I have here," Lock said after signing. "One being the kid, bringing our first child into the world here, that will always hold a special place in my heart."
A 2019 second-round pick of the Denver Broncos, Lock came to Seattle in 2022 as part of the trade that sent Russell Wilson to Denver, and after Geno Smith won the competition for the starting job in 2022, Lock spent two seasons as his backup. And while his first stay in Seattle lasted only two seasons, that was more than enough time for Lock to feel at home.
"Really, it's just the people in this building," Lock said. "Whether that was John (Schneider) or EK (director of equipment) Erik Kennedy) or (assistant head strength & conditioning coach) Danny van Dijk, this is a really, really good building. Every team you go to is going to have great players; I think what sets places apart is how well unified the building is, and this place is very in sync. It's just got a special feel to it. It's almost hard to describe what it is, but you kind of just feel it in your heart and in your stomach. It's just a great place."
Lock also formed a strong bond with Seahawks fans in his two seasons in Seattle despite having a limited on-field role.
"It was really, really cool," he said. "Being the backup, you're not always the one out there playing, but somehow they made me feel special walking into this stadium, walking around Kirkland or Bellevue. These fans love their football, they're loyal to their football team. It's just a special group, I don't know if you really get that anywhere else. They're always loud, which is really fun too. They were great to me. I'm really appreciative of how they treated me and my family in the stands for those games. It was a great experience with them."
After not playing in the 2022 regular season, Lock appeared in four games for Seattle in 2023, starting two, and completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 543 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Lock's finest moment in a Seahawks uniform came on Monday night against the Eagles in which he led a game-winning touchdown drive, connecting with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for the winning score to cap a 10-play, 92-yard drive in the game's final minutes.
"That's way up there," Lock said when asked where that game ranks in career memories. "That might be top two, and probably not two. What a night that was. Having my family there, Layton was in her belly still, my dad was there, mom, sister, they all came up that week, which was really cool. Monday Night Football, I don't know if it gets better than that, man. It was really special for me, and I'll definitely never forget that night."
A lot has changed about the Seahawks since Lock left, including a complete overhaul of the coaching staff, but while Lock has never played for Mike Macdonald, he is plenty familiar with what his new head coach is capable of, having prepared for his defenses both in 2023 when the Seahawks played Baltimore, and last season when the Giants played at Seattle.
"I remember my last year here in Seattle when we were going to play Baltimore, me and Geno had some long nights watching tape getting ready for this defense, and they took care of us that day," Lock said. "And I was like, 'Dude, this Mike Macdonald guy knows what he's doing.' And sure enough that next year they hired him, and even playing him against the Giants this year, again, long week trying to be ready for this defense. He's tough to play against. Being on the offensive side of the ball, having a defensive head coach, having a guy that's going to have that defense ready—from a quarterback's standpoint, we're going to have the offense ready—but it's nice having a defensive head coach that's going to have that defense ready to play every Sunday.
"And with them hiring (offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak) too, I'm familiar with what Klint does, and the type of stuff that he runs. It's a familiar style that I feel like I've played good football in."
Another big change was made at Lock's position, with Geno Smith being traded to Las Vegas, followed by the Seahawks signing Sam Darnold, with whom Lock has had a friendship dating back to when they were two of the top high school quarterbacks in the country.
"We were roommates at the Army All-American Bowl, then did the Elite 11 camps together. Then when I was coming out, I trained out in California with Jordan Palmer and my quarterback coach back home, Justin Hoover and Sam was always around. So we stayed in touch over the years. He's a great dude, and I'm excited to be in a room with him… I know what type of person he is; I'm excited to be in a room with him. It's cool."
Last season, Lock appeared in eight games for the Giants with five starts, including a standout performance in a Week 17 win that saw the Giants snap a 10-game losing streak. In that performance, Lock completed 17 of 23 attempts for 309 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions and a 155.3 passer rating, giving him career-best marks in both touchdown passes and passer rating.
For his career, Lock has started 28 of 36 games played, completing 59.6 percent of his attempts for 6,354 yards, 34 touchdowns and 28 interceptions.
Quarterback Drew Lock is returning to the Seahawks after playing the 2024 season with the New York Giants. Lock spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons in Seattle, starting four games in 2023. Check out the best photos of Lock through the years.
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Missouri fans show their support for Missouri quarterback Drew Lock during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Columbia, Mo. Lock, a true freshman, had his first career start in the game. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock (3) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016. LSU defeated Missouri 42-7. (AP Photo/Max Becherer)
Missouri NCAA college football player Drew Lock speaks during the Southeastern Conference's annual media gathering, Wednesday, July 12, 2017, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock warms up before the start of an NCAA college football game against Auburn Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock walks toward Memorial Stadium before the start of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee-Martin Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2019, file photo, Missouri quarterback Drew Lock throws at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. Lock is a possible pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after the Denver Broncos selected Lock in the second round of the NFL football draft, Friday, April 26, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) runs towards the end zone for a touchdown as Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (24) and linebacker Foye Oluokun (54) defend during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 34-27. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) looks on as he leaves the field following a win against the Miami Dolphins during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver KJ Hamler (13) celebrates after scoring quarterback Drew Lock during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) motions against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) throws the ball in warm ups prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers won 34-13. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday Jan. 2, 2022 in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 34-13. (John McGillen via AP)
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) reacts during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) signals against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock is congratulated on the sidelines after throwing the game winning touchdown to Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) warms up before playing against the Detroit Lions in an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) before an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) passes the ball during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) passes against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Commanders defeated the Giants 27-22. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) throws before the start of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard Rodriguez)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) motions to the offense during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) runs the ball in an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) celebrates after running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) scored a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) warms up before playing against the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) passes against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) passes under pressure against the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) looks to pass the ball during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Atlanta. The Falcons defeated the Giants 34-7. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) reacts after a touchdown pass during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
