Darnold Sits: Lock, Milroe Get QB Reps vs. Cowboys

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that veteran quarterback Sam Darnold will not participate in the team's preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, August 15. This strategic decision means Drew Lock will start, but he and rookie Jalen Milroe are expected to rotate snaps throughout the game. This approach aims to allow both quarterbacks to play with different offensive units.

Macdonald indicated that numerous established starters on both offense and defense will also be sidelined, with participation in warm-ups before sitting out the game. The preseason matchup will therefore emphasize evaluating players in deeper roster competitions rather than assessing the core of a team coming off a championship season. This gives Milroe, a third-round pick from the 2025 NFL draft, a significant opportunity to showcase his progress from last year's training camp.