The Seattle Seahawks have already made several quarterback moves this offseason, but rumors persist that the team may not be done. Seattle effectively swapped out Geno Smith for Sam Darnold through a sequence of roster decisions and also re-signed Drew Lock, bringing him back into the fold.
Despite these changes, the Seahawks could still target a quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft to develop for the future. ESPN’s Ben Solak recently released a mock draft projecting ideal landing spots for top quarterback prospects, and he sees Louisville’s Tyler Shough going to Seattle in the second round at pick No. 52.
Let’s take a closer look at why Shough might be a good match for the Seahawks in what has already been a transformative offseason.
Seahawks Projected to Draft Tyler Shough in Round 2
Shough’s draft stock appears to be on the rise during the pre-draft process, at least based on recent projections. Solak believes Shough would be an ideal fit for new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s system.
“As Seattle’s turbulent offseason begins to settle, we’re gaining clarity on Sam Darnold’s deal with the team,” Solak wrote in an April 9, 2025, article titled “2025 NFL quarterback mock draft: Team fits in seven rounds.” “It’s rare for Seattle to guarantee money beyond the first year of a contract, but that’s what they did with Darnold, whose $15 million roster bonus for 2026 is already locked in. This suggests a likely two-year commitment.”
“Such a sizable investment might discourage Seattle from selecting a developmental quarterback on Day 2,” Solak noted, “but the fact they used one of their 30 pre-draft meetings on Shough shows genuine interest.”
“…Shough fits well in Kubiak’s Shanahan-style offense. He thrived in play-action at Louisville, is comfortable under center, and excels at hitting downfield throws created by misdirection.”
Seattle Could Move On From Darnold in 2026
While Darnold inked a three-year, $100 million contract, further details reveal the Seahawks could part ways with him as early as the 2026 offseason if his performance doesn’t meet expectations. This leaves open the possibility that Seattle selects a quarterback earlier than many analysts anticipate.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein gave Shough a second-to-third round draft grade. At 6-foot-5 and 219 pounds, Shough has impressed with his arm talent and potential.
“He’s a strong-armed passer capable of delivering pro-level throws at both intermediate and deep ranges, but his play can be uneven,” Zierlein wrote in his scouting report. “He shows good field awareness, manipulating defenders with his eyes to open up passing lanes.”
“While he’s confident and accurate when he has time in the pocket, pressure can lead to poor decisions and costly sacks. His size and arm strength are appealing, but concerns about his durability and mobility are hurdles he’ll need to overcome.”