In the heart of Kansas City, where the 2025 NFL Draft unfolded under the bright lights and roaring anticipation, one moment stole the show and stirred hearts across the nation. As the Seattle Seahawks made their selection with the 52nd overall pick in the second round, Jalen Milroe, the electrifying quarterback from Alabama, learned he was heading to the Pacific Northwest—and his reaction was nothing short of iconic.
In a room filled with friends, family, and emotion, Milroe leapt to his feet, his voice cracking with joyful disbelief. “Let’s gooo! Seattle, baby!” he shouted, gripping his phone tightly. A wave of laughter followed his next words—part disbelief, part celebration—“Who packed the wings? ‘Cause I’m ready to soar!”
That quote has already gone viral—etched into draft lore as one of the most memorable and lighthearted quips of the 2025 class. But behind that one-liner is a story of resilience, transformation, and a perfect fit between a rising quarterback and a franchise hungry for a new era.
The Road to Seattle
Milroe’s journey to the NFL has been anything but conventional. Recruited out of Texas as a four-star dual-threat quarterback, he arrived at Alabama with plenty of potential but shadowed by questions about accuracy, decision-making, and poise in the pocket. Over three years in Tuscaloosa, Milroe answered all of them—and then some.
After taking over as the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback in 2023, Milroe weathered early struggles, a temporary benching, and relentless criticism. But by the time the 2024 season arrived, he had grown into a confident, dynamic leader. Milroe’s blend of speed, arm strength, and improved pocket presence made him one of the most dangerous playmakers in the country.
He finished the 2024 campaign with 3,289 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, just five interceptions, and another 781 yards rushing with 11 touchdowns on the ground. Alabama reached the College Football Playoff semifinal, and Milroe’s signature moment came in the SEC Championship—when he torched Georgia’s vaunted defense with four total touchdowns.
The draft process only solidified his rising stock. While he wasn’t projected to be a first-round pick due to a still-developing passing game, scouts were enamored with his leadership, work ethic, and explosive athleticism. One NFC scout summed it up simply: “If you’re not excited to coach this kid, you’re in the wrong profession.”
A Perfect Match in Seattle
In Seattle, Milroe lands in an ideal situation. With Geno Smith approaching his mid-30s and Drew Lock departing in free agency, the Seahawks were openly looking for their quarterback of the future—someone who could be mentored in a stable environment without the pressure of starting Day 1.
Head coach Mike Macdonald, taking over after Pete Carroll’s retirement, emphasized during the draft that finding a quarterback with a “high ceiling and elite character” was a priority. Milroe checks both boxes.
“He’s got the kind of upside that excites everyone in the building,” Macdonald said on draft night. “You watch the tape—he can beat you in so many ways. But what really sold us was how he handled adversity and how much his teammates believed in him. That’s the mark of a true leader.”
The Seahawks’ offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb—formerly of Washington and the mastermind behind Michael Penix Jr.’s explosive college career—now inherits another raw but immensely talented quarterback to develop.
Grubb called Milroe’s potential “sky-high.”
“Jalen brings something unique to the quarterback room,” Grubb said. “He has the tools to be special—now it’s about refining those tools, building chemistry, and letting him grow at the right pace.”
The Viral Moment: “Who Packed the Wings?”
Milroe’s draft night quote—“Who packed the wings? ’Cause I’m ready to soar!”—immediately set social media ablaze.
Within minutes, it was trending on X (formerly Twitter), with Seahawks fans reposting the clip alongside memes of eagles, fighter jets, and of course, a giant animated Milroe flapping his arms in a Seahawks jersey.
Nike designers even mocked up a custom t-shirt by morning with the phrase on the back and wings on the sleeves. Milroe’s agent confirmed the quarterback plans to partner with a Seattle-based brand to turn the moment into a charitable clothing line benefiting youth mentorship programs in Houston and Seattle.
“It was just something I blurted out,” Milroe said later in a post-draft interview with ESPN. “I was so hyped. I’ve worked my whole life for that moment. When I heard ‘Seattle,’ it just felt like destiny. It’s a team with a legacy, a culture, and a fanbase that embraces energy—and I’m bringing it.”
Milroe’s Fit in the Seahawks’ System
What makes this pairing even more intriguing is the Seahawks’ evolving offensive identity. Grubb is known for creative vertical passing concepts and wide receiver-friendly spacing—traits that can complement Milroe’s deep ball and running ability.
Seattle’s offensive weapons are plentiful. DK Metcalf remains one of the most physically imposing receivers in the league, while Tyler Lockett provides sure hands and precise route-running. Young speedster Jaxon Smith-Njigba is ready to explode in Year 3, and running backs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet offer a reliable ground game.
With this cast around him, Milroe won’t need to be a hero from day one. The Seahawks can afford to bring him along slowly, perhaps with spot packages or red-zone plays early in the season that maximize his mobility and natural flair.
“He’s a Ferrari,” Grubb said. “But we’re not just going to floor it out the gate. We’re going to build something sustainable.”
A Leader in the Locker Room
Milroe’s leadership qualities were a key factor in Seattle’s decision. During pre-draft interviews, Seahawks GM John Schneider was reportedly blown away by Milroe’s presence and ability to command a room.
“Jalen has the ‘it’ factor,” Schneider told local reporters. “He’s the kind of guy you want in your building. He holds himself accountable. He lifts others up. We loved that about him.”
That leadership was honed at Alabama, where Milroe won the respect of teammates by responding to setbacks with grace and hard work. In one oft-repeated anecdote, Milroe stayed on the practice field for an hour after a loss to Texas in 2023, throwing passes to backup receivers under the stadium lights. He didn’t talk much to the media that night—but his actions said everything.
Now, in Seattle, he’ll aim to set the same tone.
“I’m coming to learn, to grow, and to win,” Milroe said in his introductory press conference. “I’m grateful to Geno, and I plan to be a sponge. But when it’s my time, trust me—I’ll be ready.”
Alabama Roots, Seattle Future
Milroe remains deeply proud of his Alabama roots—both his hometown of Katy, Texas, and his Crimson Tide upbringing. After the draft, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer released a congratulatory message.
“Jalen was one of the most dedicated players I’ve had the privilege of coaching,” DeBoer said. “He earned everything. Seattle is getting a competitor, a worker, and a great human being.”
Back in Tuscaloosa, fans celebrated Milroe’s selection like a national title. His development from a backup with question marks to an NFL draft pick symbolized something greater for Alabama football—resilience, belief, and the power of trusting the process.
Ready for Takeoff
Jalen Milroe’s NFL journey is just beginning, but the early signs suggest he’s stepping into the league with the right mindset, the right support system, and the right opportunity.
In a league increasingly embracing dual-threat quarterbacks who can extend plays and energize fanbases, Milroe has the tools to shine. His Seahawks tenure may take a few years to reach full lift-off, but the passion, humility, and infectious energy he brings make it hard not to root for him.
And if that now-famous quote is any indication, Milroe isn’t lacking confidence.
“Man, I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life to say that,” Milroe laughed when asked again about his viral line. “Wings packed. Fuel loaded. Let’s fly, 12s.”
Final Thoughts
The NFL is often described as a league of moments—big plays, game-winning drives, and unforgettable highlights. But sometimes, it’s a draft night reaction, a heartfelt quote, and an unfiltered burst of joy that captures what the sport is truly about: dreams realized, journeys beginning, and futures unwritten.