Seahawks’ Mike Macdonald Speaks out on Rookie Jalen Milroe Early in Training Camp

Head coach Mike Macdonald of the Seattle Seahawks told reporters after practice Friday that he likes how all three quarterbacks are performing early in training camp this summer. The most noteworthy of those strong quarterback performances is rookie Jalen Milroe.

Macdonald explained Friday that Milroe is already showing signs of improvement from where he was during offseason workouts.

“Confidence,” Macdonald said when asked where Milroe has taken a step forward, via SB Nation’s Field Gulls’ Mookie Alexander. “You see a decisiveness in his game. Eyes are in the right spot, more consistently. He could probably go into detail. It just seems to me like it’s a quicker delivery. The footwork is starting to match the routes and the concepts.

“He’s got a whole career ahead of them to improve, but excited to see him right now, and he’s doing a good job.”

QB Jalen Milroe Showing Signs of Improving Early in NFL Training Camp

Macdonald’s comments should be taken with a grain of salt. The Seahawks don’t even have pads on yet in training camp. Even after padded practices, Milroe won’t really be able to showcase his true progress until the preseason.

Even then, preseason contests can be misleading for a variety of reasons.

But still, it’s better for Milroe to be showing signs of improvement during practice, even without pads, than it is for him to be struggling.

The Seahawks drafted Milroe at No. 92 overall during the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He was the fourth quarterback off the board and just the second on Day 2 of the draft.

During his college career at Alabama, Milroe posted a 64.3% completion percentage with 6,016 passing yards, 45 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He also had 1,577 rushing yards with 33 touchdowns on the ground.

During his final college season last year, Milroe had 2,844 passing yards with 16 passing touchdowns and 11 interceptions. On the ground, he had 726 yards and 20 scores.

Seahawks to Find Ways to Use Milroe Even With Sam Darnold Starting

The Seahawks signed Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million contract this offseason. Something very strange will have to happen for Darnold not to be the Seattle starting quarterback to begin the 2025 season.

In all likelihood, Darnold is going to be the Seahawks starter for at least two years. Seattle has a potential out in Darnold’s deal following the 2026 season.

But that doesn’t mean Milroe won’t receive playing time in another way other than as the team’s starting quarterback.

“Milroe, a third-round pick, should find his way onto the field as well, even as the third quarterback behind Darnold and Drew Lock,” ESPN’s Brady Henderson wrote. “Milroe isn’t going to push Darnold for the starting job anytime soon, but the Seahawks do plan to use him a handful of snaps a game in packages that take advantage of his stellar running ability.

“Spring practices didn’t offer much of a glimpse of that as the Seahawks focused on installing their base offense, but that should change during camp.”

Based on the fact Milroe rushed for 1,257 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns in his final 26 college games, it isn’t hard to see why the Seahawks want him on the field as a rusher.

Milroe can add to what Seattle could already have on the ground with running backs  Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet in 2025. Each rushed for more than 500 yards last season.