The Seattle Seahawks played their preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, and one of the players fans most anticipated seeing play was rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe.
Milroe, the third-round pick out of Alabama, had an up-and-down senior season after breaking out in his junior year. On one hand, Milroe further showcased his dynamic rushing ability, increasing his rushing yard total from 531 yards to 726 yards. He also jumped from 12 rushing touchdowns in 2023 to 20 rushing touchdowns in 2024. However, Milroe regressed in throwing the football.
Milroe’s touchdown-to-interception ratio regressed from 23 to 6 in 2023, to 16 to 11 in 2024. Milroe also decreased his yards per pass average, completion percentage, and passer rating. The erratic play dropped Milroe from a potential first-round pick to the third round, where Seattle selected him. In Milroe’s preseason debut, he flashed a little of both the good and the bad.
Milroe’s Pros and Cons
Jalen Milroe entered the Seahawks game against the Raiders in the second half, after Drew Lock handled the first half. Milroe put up solid numbers, going 6 of 10 for 61 yards and rushing for 38 yards on three carries. The highlight of Milroe’s evening was a 27-yard carry in the fourth quarter that showed his explosive running ability and playmaking ability.
One play, however, showcased some of the criticism thrown Milroe’s way about his decision-making and holding onto the ball too long. On a two-minute drive in the fourth quarter, Milroe took a critical sack on a 3rd and 10. Former NFL wide receiver Harry Douglas discussed on “Get Up” how Milroe needs to have the ability to get rid of the ball in that situation, as transcribed by Daniel Hager of On3.
“I love Klint Kubiak utilizing the athleticism of Jalen Milroe,” ‘Get Up’ co-host Harry Douglas said. “Getting him out on the edge in sprint-outs, but also doing that zone read and allowing him to run down the sideline for an explosive play. The only critique I would have for him is when you’re in a two-minute situation and you’re trying to win a football game, and it’s 3rd & 10, don’t take that sack. But you also don’t wanna put the football in harm’s way.”
Milroe, in his limited playing time, showed the potential he was drafted for and what he still needs to work on.
Quarterback of the Future?
It seems absurd that Milroe could be discussed as the quarterback of the immediate future when Seattle has Sam Darnold signed to a three-year $100 million deal with $37.5 million guaranteed at signing, according to Spotrac. ESPN’s Dan Graziano, though, thinks there is a path for Milroe to be the Seahawks quarterback of the future, as he discussed on “Get Up,” as transcribed by On3.
“The Seahawks’ commitment to Sam Darnold is exactly one year long if you really look at the contract, so could he be their answer in the future? Yes. But if not, could Jalen Milroe be a guy that advances? They would like to see that and would like to find that out this season, this preseason and obviously there’s a lot to like about Jalen Milroe. Seahawks keeping all their options open for the future, even as they prepare for this season with Darnold as their starter.”
Depending on how this season plays out with Darnold, Milroe can find himself being the Seahawks’ QB of the future sooner than most would have predicted. Through only one preseason game, Milroe has made the future possibilities intriguing.
