With the 92nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks may have just made their most intriguing move of the weekend—selecting Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe in the third round. It’s a pick that immediately turns heads not just because of Milroe’s dynamic dual-threat potential, but also because of the historical echoes it carries. The last time Seattle spent a third-round pick on a quarterback, they came away with a franchise legend: Russell Wilson.
Much like Wilson in 2012, Milroe arrives with questions about polish, but undeniable upside. A fearless competitor with blazing speed and a cannon for an arm, Milroe put together a memorable 2024 season in Tuscaloosa. Now, he’ll try to take that momentum to the Pacific Northwest and write the next chapter in a Seahawks quarterback legacy that’s still looking for its successor.
At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Milroe brings a rare blend of athleticism, toughness, and deep-ball accuracy. He’s a quarterback who can change the game with his legs just as easily as with his arm. While his mechanics and decision-making have occasionally come under scrutiny, few players in this draft class possessed Milroe’s sheer upside.
In 2024, Milroe threw for 3,159 yards and 29 touchdowns while adding 842 rushing yards and 12 more scores on the ground. His ability to extend plays and create offense out of structure made him one of the most electrifying players in college football. Alabama went 11-2 and made a strong push for the College Football Playoff, with Milroe’s leadership and poise playing a major role.
His signature moment came in the Iron Bowl, where he orchestrated a game-winning touchdown drive in the final minutes, keeping Alabama’s postseason hopes alive. That clutch factor—combined with elite physical tools—was enough for the Seahawks to pull the trigger late in the third round.
This marks the first draft class under new head coach Mike Macdonald, but the fingerprints of the Pete Carroll era are still all over the Seahawks’ decision-making. Selecting Milroe is a move reminiscent of Carroll’s bold choice to take Russell Wilson in 2012, despite having signed veteran Matt Flynn in free agency. Wilson went on to win the starting job in training camp and led Seattle to a Super Bowl two years later.
The Seahawks aren’t necessarily expecting Milroe to repeat that history, but there’s no denying the similarities. Just like Wilson, Milroe faced doubts throughout the draft process. For Wilson, it was his height. For Milroe, it’s been accuracy and progression reading. But both share elite athleticism, leadership traits, and a relentless drive to prove themselves.
Seattle’s front office clearly believes that Milroe can develop into more than just a gadget player or backup option. Drafting him in the third round shows a level of belief that goes beyond filling a roster spot.
Geno Smith remains the starting quarterback in Seattle—for now. The veteran is coming off a mixed 2024 campaign where flashes of brilliance were occasionally overshadowed by inconsistency and turnovers. At 34, Smith isn’t a long-term solution. Milroe provides a bridge to the future, with the potential to take over as soon as 2026—or earlier if Smith falters or injuries occur.
Drew Lock’s departure this offseason also created an opening in the quarterback room. Milroe will step into a situation where he can learn behind a veteran, get valuable preseason reps, and potentially push for the No. 2 spot early.
New offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, formerly of the University of Washington, has a strong track record developing quarterbacks in creative, modern schemes. If anyone can unlock Milroe’s potential, it might be Grubb—who helped turn Michael Penix Jr. into a Heisman finalist and top-15 pick.
The comparison to Russell Wilson is inevitable, especially with the shared third-round status and similar physical build. But stylistically, Milroe more closely resembles a young Jalen Hurts or Lamar Jackson. He thrives in RPO and play-action concepts, and his mobility adds a completely different dimension to any offense.
The key will be improving his touch throws and decision-making under pressure. At times, Milroe was guilty of holding onto the ball too long or trying to play hero ball. Those instincts need refinement at the NFL level, where windows close faster and defenders are savvier.
Still, Milroe doesn’t need to be perfect from Day 1. The Seahawks have built an offense with weapons around him, including DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, plus a strong running back tandem in Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet. There’s also an improved offensive line anchored by tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas.
In other words: if and when Milroe gets his chance, the infrastructure will be in place to help him succeed.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, Seattle’s selection of Milroe signals a philosophical shift. Under Pete Carroll, the Seahawks were always willing to take calculated risks—especially when it came to finding a quarterback who could elevate the team. That mindset appears to remain under new leadership.
Drafting Milroe isn’t about this year. It’s about the next five years. The Seahawks watched teams like the 49ers, Texans, and Eagles thrive with dynamic, dual-threat quarterbacks. In a division that includes Kyler Murray and now Heisman winner Caleb Williams in Los Angeles, the Seahawks are betting that athleticism and playmaking ability are prerequisites for long-term success at quarterback.
This is also a move that could ignite the fanbase. Milroe is exciting. He’s marketable. He plays with flair and confidence. Seattle hasn’t had that kind of energy at the quarterback position since Wilson’s prime years.
Milroe will enter the offseason program competing for reps and trying to soak up as much of the playbook as possible. Early reports suggest he’s a tireless worker with a high football IQ—traits that should endear him to coaches and teammates quickly.
Training camp will be a key proving ground. Don’t expect a starting battle out of the gate, but don’t be surprised if Milroe starts making noise with highlight-reel plays during the preseason. Fans will want to see what he can do, and the coaching staff will give him every opportunity to grow.
The most realistic scenario? Milroe spends his rookie year developing behind Geno Smith, learning the offense, and getting sporadic reps—possibly in packages designed to leverage his athleticism. By Year 2, he could be pushing for a starting role.
Every draft has its turning points—moments when a team takes a chance on more than just numbers. By drafting Jalen Milroe, the Seahawks didn’t just pick a quarterback. They picked a future.
Whether he pans out remains to be seen. But the tools are there. The drive is there. And the echoes of Russell Wilson loom large. If lightning can strike twice, Seattle might have just found its next great leader under center.
Jalen Milroe isn’t a finished product. He’s a bet on development. A gamble on upside. But so was Wilson. And we all know how that turned out.