The Seattle Seahawks have been active on the quarterback front this offseason, making several notable moves, including what effectively amounts to a quarterback swap. Longtime starter Geno Smith is out, and former No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold is in, signed to a new contract. In addition, the team brought back a familiar face in Drew Lock, offering some continuity in the quarterback room. Despite these changes, speculation continues to swirl that Seattle might not be done addressing the position.
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, many analysts believe the Seahawks could still look to add a young signal-caller to develop for the future. ESPN’s Ben Solak recently put together a comprehensive quarterback-specific mock draft, in which he paired the top quarterback prospects with the teams that best fit their skills and long-term potential. In that projection, Solak has Seattle selecting the Louisville Cardinals quarterback in the second round with the No. 52 overall pick.
He has started to gain traction as a sleeper prospect rising up draft boards in the final stages of the pre-draft process. According to Solak, the 6-foot-5, 219-pound quarterback could be an ideal fit in the Seahawks’ new-look offense under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who is installing a system heavily influenced by the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree. He thrived in similar schemes during his collegiate career, especially excelling in play-action concepts and under-center snaps. His ability to execute deep drops and deliver downfield passes into tight windows created by play fakes makes him an intriguing developmental option for Seattle.
Though Darnold signed a three-year, $100 million deal with the Seahawks, the structure of the contract is telling. It includes a fully guaranteed $15 million roster bonus for 2026, suggesting the Seahawks are likely committing to him for two seasons. However, this also means there’s a clear exit strategy if the pairing doesn’t work out. Seattle could realistically part ways with Darnold after the 2025 season, potentially paving the way for a rookie like Shough to step in and compete.
The Seahawks also reportedly held one of their official pre-draft visits with Shough, a sign that the front office is at least seriously considering him. Solak notes this meeting as evidence that the team is weighing its long-term quarterback options, even with Darnold temporarily in place.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein gave Shough a second- to third-round grade in his pre-draft scouting report. Zierlein praised the quarterback’s strong arm and ability to make eye-catching throws at the intermediate and deep levels. According to his evaluation, Shough shows good field vision and manipulates defenders with his eyes, setting up passing lanes with smart movement and timing. However, Zierlein also pointed out that the quarterback has a tendency to struggle under pressure, sometimes making poor decisions or taking avoidable sacks.
Durability is another concern with Shough. Though talented, he has a history of injuries that have limited his ability to stay on the field consistently throughout his college career. Still, the potential is evident: he has the tools of an NFL starter and just needs to prove he can stay healthy and develop consistency.
Ultimately, with Darnold’s future uncertain beyond 2025 and Drew Lock likely viewed as a short-term backup, drafting Tyler Shough would give the Seahawks a young, talented prospect to groom for the future. Whether or not they pull the trigger at No. 52 remains to be seen, but the possibility clearly has traction among league analysts and draft insiders alike.
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