By the middle of the 1981 season, Krieg overtook Sam Adkins on the depth chart to become the Seahawks' second-string quarterback. When injuries sidelined Jim Zorn late in the season, Krieg started the last three games and played well, helping the team record two of its six wins that year. In his first NFL start against the New York Jets on December 6, Krieg ran for one touchdown and threw for two others, including a 57-yard game-winning completion to Steve Largent.