Why Seahawks' Sam Darnold Is Fighting For QB Job vs. Chiefs

This week, the build-up will be that the Seattle Seahawks are welcoming Kenneth Walker back to Lumen Field with the Kansas City Chiefs coming to town.

Naturally, that is the big storyline as Walker was superb for the Seahawks during his time with the franchise, as he helped push the team to a Super Bowl win last season.

But for me, there is also another storyline to follow, and it's a rather big one.

And that's Sam Darnold.

He's had a crippling turnover problem in his five games of this season, throwing seven interceptions, with both against the Denver Broncos coming at crucial times, with one handing Sean Payton's team the win in overtime.

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And let's be clear, this isn't anything new.

If we take out Sam's playoff games (I know, it isn't ideal), he's thrown 21 interceptions in 22 games since the beginning of last season. 

That's a problem.

So much so that there are now questions aimed at Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald about a potential quarterback change. Yeah, that's right.

Drew Lock stepped in for Darnold when he had his glute issue earlier this year, and the offense looked...better. Granted, it was likely a watered-down version, but Lock didn't put the ball in harm's way; he played on schedule and within himself, and the Seahawks were winning.

So it isn't like the Seahawks "have" to stick with Darnold, although we know they will.

But if Sam has another bad turnover or two (three games this season, he's had multiple), then the calls for him to be replaced will be deafening.

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Now, that doesn't mean Lock is the better quarterback than Darnold, because I think most would agree he isn't, but it would absolutely be about Lock being less of a liability for the offense than Darnold.

But the big question is if you bench Darnold and go ahead with Lock, can you go back? 

Because we know all it would take is one bad game from Lock, and fans would be clamoring for Sam to be the starter again.

Which is why Sunday night's game against the 5-0 Chiefs is going to be a huge one for Darnold because, like it or not, his tenure as the starter isn't exactly on the most solid of foundations right now.