The Seattle Seahawks made a bold move this offseason by parting ways with starting quarterback Geno Smith and bringing in Sam Darnold and rookie Jalen Milroe. Focused on a higher upside and a new offensive philosophy, Seattle is searching for more direction, as reflected in the profiles of the quarterbacks they brought in.
According to reports, Milroe has stood out during offseason workouts, catching the coaching staff’s attention with how quickly he’s adapting to the NFL and the focus he brings to every drill. Head coach Mike Macdonald spoke about the rookie, expressing excitement about seeing what comes next in Milroe’s development.
Mike Macdonald Impressed By Jalen Milroe’s Evolution
The arrival of a rookie in the NFL can be overwhelming in many ways. From the faster pace and new system to unfamiliar teammates and increased pressure, it’s an entirely different environment that can take a toll on a player’s mindset, especially for a quarterback. We saw this with Darnold, who didn’t have a true breakout year until last season, when he was in his seventh year in the league.
With Milroe, there were always concerns that his transition to the NFL would be difficult due to apparent flaws in his game that caused him to fall to Day 2 of the draft. Questions surrounding his mechanics, decision-making, and ability to process beyond the first read followed him. His elite athleticism and strong drive to improve ultimately earned him a spot in Seattle.
In camp, Milroe has impressed, as head coach Macdonald noted. In an article for The News Tribune, Gregg Bell highlighted the key traits that won over the Seahawks’ coaching staff — keeping expectations high and optimism strong for Milroe’s development.
Jalen Milroe working on keeping his balance to throw while sidestepping would-be pass rushers at #Seahawks minicamp. That’s new quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko instructing. @thenewstribune pic.twitter.com/ZAZy6w8GVH
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) June 11, 2025
“You see the poise, the fundamental stuff that we’re asking, footwork and timing and reads,” Macdonald said. “But you don’t just do that by showing up every day. You have to be intentional and on record with his work ethic and stuff. That’s really impressive. He’s earned kind of that feeling of confidence right now. He’s earned that feeling going into the summer.”
Milroe’s humility had already drawn attention shortly after the Seahawks drafted him. In one instance, during a pre-draft visit, a team asked him about his weaknesses, and Milroe spoke at length about all the areas he needed to improve, leaving the staff impressed by his self-awareness and genuine desire to grow.
That’s precisely the mindset coaches love to see in a rookie. The work ethic and leadership Milroe brings to the table give Seattle reason to feel more optimistic about the future of their new offensive approach with Darnold and a revamped scheme. In a division where the Seahawks have fallen behind in recent years, an athletic prototype like Milroe might be just what the franchise needs to turn the corner.