Seattle Seahawks rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe is a project, but he could have a sizeable role this upcoming season.
Milroe — pick No. 92 in the 2025 NFL Draft — won't compete for the starting job in 2025. The Seahawks signed QB Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.5M deal in free agency. However, the Seahawks are reportedly planning to use him in specific packages.
"Milroe needs to make improvements as a passer, so he won't challenge Darnold as QB1 and might not even beat out Drew Lock as QB2," wrote ESPN's Brady Henderson in a story published Thursday. "But Seattle envisions Milroe playing a few snaps per game in packages that will take advantage of his running ability."
Milroe threw just 16 touchdown passes in 13 games in his final season at Alabama, but rushed for 20 scores. He ran an unofficial 4.37 40-yard dash at his pro day in March.
In his scouting report for Milroe, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compared him to former Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kordell Stewart.
Like Milroe, Stewart was a fleet-footed quarterback who struggled to become a consistent passer at the college level. In four seasons with the Colorado Buffaloes, he never threw for more than 12 TD passes but rushed for 15 scores.
The Steelers used him on select plays in his first two seasons. He had 10 TDs (six rushing and four receiving) in this span. He became Pittsburgh's full-time starter in 1997, making a Pro Bowl and leading the Steelers to two AFC Championship Games in his next six seasons with the team.
Seattle's reported decision to have Milroe follow a similar path seems smart. His athleticism could add a wrinkle to the Seahawks' offense.
It also gives him valuable reps, which he'll need if the Seahawks give him the keys to their passing attack in the future.
