The defending Super Bowl champions opened their 2026 season Wednesday night facing the very adversity that will define whether they can repeat their championship success. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl LX, but the victory came at a potential cost that may reverberate throughout their campaign.
Starting quarterback Sam Darnold, who led Seattle to their championship victory just seven months ago, exited the game after only five plays with a hip injury. The sight of Darnold leaving the field cast a shadow over what should have been a celebratory season opener at Lumen Field.
However, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald delivered cautiously optimistic news following the game. Medical staff ruled out a fracture, sparing the team the prospect of placing their star quarterback on injured reserve for a minimum of four games.
“Let’s say it’s good news right now,” Macdonald told reporters. “At this point, we were able to rule out a fracture. There’s some more tests to be done, but right now a fracture is out, which is great news.”
Darnold is scheduled for an MRI Thursday morning, which will determine the full extent of the injury and establish a timetable for his return to action.
With their franchise quarterback sidelined, the Seahawks turned to backup Drew Lock, who entered the game under circumstances no reserve quarterback wishes to face. Lock had thrown merely three passes during the entire previous season and, according to receiver Cooper Kupp, “took basically no reps with any of the guys that were out there all week.”
The lack of preparation showed early. Seattle fell behind 10-0 by the third quarter, and the specter of an opening night collapse loomed large. Yet Lock demonstrated the resilience that championship teams require from every member of their roster.
He connected with receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a 45-yard touchdown strike to tie the game. Lock finished the evening completing 72.7 percent of his passes and added a crucial 14-yard scramble that positioned the Seahawks for the go-ahead field goal. Seattle ultimately prevailed 13-10.
The performance raises important questions about Seattle’s depth and their ability to maintain their championship standard should Darnold miss extended time. Lock’s heroics notwithstanding, no team wants to rely on a backup quarterback who enters the week as an afterthought in practice planning.
For New England, the loss continues their rebuilding process under new leadership. Young quarterback Drake Maye showed flashes but could not capitalize on the opportunity presented by Darnold’s early departure.
The Seahawks now await Thursday’s medical results with the anxiety that comes with defending a championship. In professional football, depth is tested not in the comfortable confines of the offseason, but in moments precisely like Wednesday night. Seattle passed that test, but whether they can sustain success without their championship quarterback remains the season’s first significant question.
And that is the way it is, Thursday, September 10th, 2026.
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