The Seattle Seahawks are preparing for the biggest challenge of their recent history: defending the Super Bowl title. Despite winning it all, the Seahawks are not being treated as one of the overwhelming favorites to repeat, with several teams, including the Los Angeles Rams within the NFC West, receiving more attention heading into the 2026 season.
Sam Darnold, however, already proved last season that he can be the franchise quarterback Seattle envisioned. With Darnold leading the offense and a defense capable of carrying the team through difficult games, the Seahawks believe they have a legitimate chance to make another deep playoff run.
That is precisely why Darnold will not be playing today against the Tennessee Titans. Head coach Mike Macdonald has little reason to expose his starting quarterback to unnecessary preseason contact, particularly with the regular season approaching and the Seahawks opening their campaign earlier than most teams.
Why isn’t Sam Darnold playing against the Titans?
Sam Darnold’s absence is a precautionary decision. The Seahawks already know what they have in their starting quarterback, so there is little to gain from giving him additional preseason snaps and plenty to lose if he were to suffer an injury.
Seattle’s quarterback room also appears much more settled than those of several other NFL teams. Darnold is firmly established as the starter, meaning the preseason is primarily about evaluating the players behind him rather than determining who will lead the offense when the games count.
The timing makes the decision even more understandable. The Seahawks will open the regular season on September 9 against the New England Patriots, giving Macdonald another reason to prioritize Darnold’s health and preparation over preseason reps.
Who is starting quarterback today for Seahawks vs Titans?
With Sam Darnold sitting out, Drew Lock is expected to start at quarterback against Tennessee. Lock should receive several series as the Seahawks give their veteran backup an opportunity to run the offense in live-game conditions.
After Lock’s work is complete, Jalen Milroe could take over. Milroe is one of the most intriguing young players on Seattle’s roster and will use the preseason to continue developing behind Darnold.
The matchup therefore gives the Seahawks a chance to evaluate their depth without putting their most important offensive player at unnecessary risk. Lock’s experience and Milroe’s upside offer Seattle two very different options behind Darnold.
