Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald will have a decision to make this summer about the future of the quarterback position on the Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle brought in three new quarterbacks this offseason. Former Jets, Panthers and Vikings starter Sam Darnold signed a three-year deal. Former Broncos starter and former Seahawks backup Drew Lock returned on a two-year deal. And Alabama starter Jalen Milroe was drafted in the third round.

The question now looms. Who should start the season at QB for Seattle?

The answer here, while not perfectly obvious, should not come as much of a surprise to those who have been paying attention to the league.

It’s Sam Darnold’s job to lose.

Yes, Milroe presents a fun, new offensive identity. Seeing Milroe run around the backfield and dodge defenders would cause Seahawks fans to reminisce about another former third-round quarterback, Russell Wilson. However, Milroe has hardly developed yet as a passer, and the Seahawks need someone who can help them win now. This is not a rebuilding football team, and there is no time to waste.

Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record last year and a playoff appearance. He through 35 touchdowns as 12 interceptions, receiving MVP votes and being named to the NFC Pro Bowl squad.

Milroe, while intriguing, has not shown anything close to that level of performance. This should not even be a question.

Many fans and analysts are quick to point to 2012, when the Seahawks signed Matt Flynn only to start Wilson on day one. However, there is a major issue with that comparison.

Sam Darnold is not Matt Flynn. Yes, they were both signed to three-year deals, yes they were both announced as the starter for the team and yes they both have to mentor a third-round pick in their first training camp with the team, but that is where the comparison’s end.

Flynn, at the time of his contract with Seattle, had started just two NFL games, with a record of 1-1. Darnold has started 73 games, having gone 35-38. Flynn had thrown 9 touchdowns when he signed with Seattle. Darnold has thrown 98. Flynn had four years of experience as a backup. Darnold has five years of starting experience, in addition to two years as a backup. Darnold was the third overall pick in the draft, while Flynn was chosen in the seventh round.

It is astounding to see fans compare Darnold to Flynn as if he is some sort of career backup. The truth is that Darnold has blossomed into a highly proficient quarterback and will have to struggle badly if he is to lose the starting job in Seattle. Of course, anything is possible, but at the moment, it feels unlikely that Darnold, who was an MVP candidate last season, will fall off the cliff that drastically in his first year with the Seahawks.

So, to make things easy for Mike Macdonald, Darnold has experience, and has proven himself in this league. This is his starting quarterback job to lose. Milroe is fun and intriguing, but he is not yet ready to start against NFL defenses.