Seahawks Sign Adrian Martinez to Practice Squad
Seattle adds the 26-year-old quarterback after a workout as Sam Darnold is sidelined by injury.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Football
The Seattle Seahawks signed quarterback Adrian Martinez to the practice squad after he worked out for the team this week. The move comes as Sam Darnold is sidelined by a quad and rib injury for at least Week 9.
Why it matters
With Darnold out for at least Week 9, Seattle is adding depth behind its quarterbacks. Martinez, who went undrafted in 2023, is returning to the NFL after a strong UFL season.
Martinez led the Birmingham Stallions to a UFL championship and earned league MVP honors after throwing 1,750 passing yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024. His college career includes 9,700 passing yards, 2,900 rushing yards and 96 total touchdowns across 49 games.
The players
Adrian Martinez
A 26-year-old quarterback who won UFL MVP honors and led the Birmingham Stallions to a league championship after a college career at Kansas State and Nebraska.
Sam Darnold
A veteran NFL quarterback whose quad and rib injury, sustained in Monday Night Football against the Bears, has opened the door for depth signings in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle-based NFL franchise that signed Martinez to its practice squad as it manages quarterback depth during Darnold's absence.
The details
Seattle signed Martinez after he worked out for the team this week, and Baltimore also worked out Martinez and signed Kedon Slovis while trading for Jacoby Brisset. Detroit had released Martinez after the preseason following his 2023 undrafted entry.
Timeline
Week 9 of last season: Martinez made his only regular-season appearance, a kneel-down in a 34-24 win over the Giants.
2023 NFL Draft: Martinez went undrafted.
2024 season: Martinez earned UFL MVP and All-UFL honors.
This week: Martinez worked out for Seattle and Baltimore.
At least Week 9: Sam Darnold is sidelined by a quad and rib injury.
Season Trajectory
Martinez's route from undrafted rookie to UFL MVP to an NFL practice squad reflects how spring-league performance is increasingly used to re-enter the league. Seattle's move adds quarterback depth as Darnold's injury tests the team's backup plan during the season.
Martinez's practice-squad status means he cannot play in games unless elevated to the active roster. For fantasy and betting purposes, Seattle's starting quarterback situation remains tied to Darnold's recovery timeline.
The takeaway
Practice-squad signings like Martinez's can serve as bridges for teams facing injuries, and the path from a spring league to the NFL is open to players who keep performing.
Further reading
For more on the team making the move, see Seattle Football coverage.
