Jalen Milroe, the newest quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, has found a fresh source of inspiration. Growing up in Texas, he admired quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, and Lamar Jackson. Now, to understand Seattle’s offense, Milroe has been studying Brock Purdy, a standout player under the Seahawks’ new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Kubiak helped Purdy lead the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl, and Purdy recently secured a five-year, $265 million extension with the team.
Milroe believes Purdy’s experience with the same offensive system makes him a great role model as he transitions into the NFL. He admires how Purdy maintains pocket integrity and reads defenses carefully, traits that make him highly efficient. Drafted in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Milroe is only the third quarterback that Seahawks GM John Schneider has chosen in the third round in his 16 years, joining Russell Wilson and Alex McGough.
Schneider sees Milroe as a dynamic athlete with elite skills but emphasizes developing his passing efficiency. Before the draft, some scouts saw Milroe as a high-potential “lottery ticket.” Seattle aims to help the former Alabama player realize his full potential. Schneider points to Milroe’s explosive speed and natural running ability as major assets, recalling a live game where Milroe’s athleticism led to a long touchdown run despite some poor decisions.
Over the last two offseasons, Milroe has worked on refining his throwing mechanics with private coach Jordhan Palmer, focusing on biomechanics and efficiency. Palmer highlights Milroe’s strong character, shaped by a disciplined military family background, which contributes greatly to his leadership and team culture influence. Milroe’s parents, both retired military, stressed discipline, commitment, and hard work in his upbringing.
During practice, Milroe serves as the third-string quarterback behind starters Sam Darnold and Drew Locke, with no rush to start him immediately. The Seahawks plan to utilize his athleticism in creative plays, similar to how Klint Kubiak deployed Taysom Hill with the Saints. Milroe’s rushing ability is a key strength, as demonstrated by his Alabama career stats with over 1,500 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns. He ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash, the fastest among QBs at the recent combine.
Coach Mike McDaniel is excited about adding Milroe’s dynamic play to the offense but wants to avoid rushing his development. Milroe is committed to learning from coaches and teammates to quickly adapt to the NFL’s complexities. He also studies top quarterbacks, regardless of location, to expand his knowledge.
Eric D. Williams, who has covered the NFL for more than a decade, authored this report.
Fan Take: Jalen Milroe’s arrival in Seattle with a strong work ethic and impressive athleticism could inject new energy into the Seahawks’ offense and quarterback legacy. His dedication to mastering both physical and mental aspects of the game shows promise, and NFL fans should watch closely as he develops into a potentially dynamic playmaker for the league’s future.
