Jalen Milroe quietly stole the Brock Purdy playbook to create a 49ers nightmare

Jalen Milroe and Brock Purdy are completely different kinds of quarterbacks, but they have one important common thread. Both will be involved in playing the same kind of offensive systems. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Purdy has shown to be a success. Seattle Seahawks rookie Milroe has not. Yet.

Purdy was famously the last pick of the 2022 draft. With little expectation of anyone, but likely himself, to be a quality QB1 in the league, Purdy became a starter because the 49ers' scheme was a perfect fit for him. He doesn't have elite arm strength, but he makes great decisions.

Milroe can run extremely well and has an elite arm, but his decision-making has been questioned, and his accuracy has been a struggle on short and intermediate passes. He does not appear ready to become the Seahawks QB1 for a long while, but then neither did Purdy with San Francisco.

Seahawks rookie Jalen Milroe plans on copying 49ers' Brock Purdy's style

Seattle's rookie, though, isn't approaching how to help his team by simply relying on his athleticism. He also isn't looking at film from one of the quarterbacks above him on the depth chart, Sam Darnold. Instead, Milroe is watching how Purdy runs the 49ers offense.

This makes sense as Seattle's new offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, runs the same system that San Francisco does. Kubiak also worked as the 49ers' passing game coordinator in 2023 while Darnold was also on the team. Darnold started a game and threw 46 passes, but Milroe is going with the QB who has the most sustained success.

Speaking with FOX Sports, Milroe said, "What’s unique about Brock is he played in the same system that I’m in right now. So, it’s been great to see the tape and see some of our reads and play calls and watching him play. He understands his feet are tied into the read and pocket integrity. When he plays on time, that’s when he’s at his best and he’s been most efficient. That’s what I’ve been able to capture as I’ve studied his game."

If Milroe can copy Purdy perfectly, the Alabama prospect will fix a lot of the weaknesses he has in his game. His footwork gets messy, but if he studies Purdy's movement and can then perfect that in practice and in preseason games, Milroe still won't be the starter in 2025, but he will be a lot closer to taking over the role in 2026.

Seattle signed Darnold to a three-year deal this offseason. The contract has no guaranteed money in years two and three. If he fails in year one, he could be gone by next season. Presumed QB2 Drew Lock is also on a potential short-term deal, but would be worth keeping around even if Darnold does not work out.

If Milroe can show the team he is further along in training camp and the preseason after watching a lot of Brock Purdy film, that will set him up to potentially become the Seahawks' starter sooner than expected.

As he is much more athletically gifted than Purdy, if Milroe can come close to the 49ers' quarterback's efficiency, he will be a scary quarterback. And he would give the 49ers nightmares for seasons to come.