Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider found himself in a precarious position when asked about their mid-round pick Jalen Milroe’s position on their quarterback board. The question was whether Milroe was the franchise’s top QB in the 2025 class.
Schneider was clear with the answer, but the hesitation stemmed from Milroe’s confident statement about the same question. “The Seahawks knew I was the best quarterback in the draft. They emphasized that,” Milroe had said right after the Seahawks drafted him at No. 92.
John Schneider Remains Truthful About Jalen Milroe
Milroe’s confidence in the franchise picking him, thinking he was the top QB on their board, didn’t stop the Seahawks’ general manager from calling a spade a spade.
“No, I don’t think he was,” Schneider said in his interview. “But he was damn close,” he continued, emphasizing why they picked Milroe in the first place when he was not their top quarterback, and when they had recently signed Sam Darnold in a $100.5 million contract.
“He’s a unique, special, special kid, special athlete, special kid, special young man, athlete. We’re going to develop him as a quarterback. With that, he’s going to add something special as we go.”
The Seahawks GM further outlined how several qualities of Milroe enticed them to draft him despite him not being their top quarterback of the class. Milroe took a trip to Seattle earlier this month, around April 9 or April 10. As Schneider pointed out, the official visit strengthened the team’s confidence in drafting Milroe.
“He’s a William Campbell Award — Academic Heisman Award — winner,” Schneider continued. “Has had four different offensive coordinators. Works his tail off. Mom, former Navy. Dad is a Marine. He came in on a visit, had a really great visit. He was in a spot, and he just kept coming. He was there by himself.”
The Seahawks’ motto of refining Milroe’s talent was clear from when they picked him despite having a recently signed Darnold. Although Darnold would be handling the quarterback reins for now, he may not be the answer to their long-term quarterback gap.
Bringing in Milroe during the 2025 NFL Draft would give him a few years to develop under a seasoned quarterback like Darnold until he becomes ready to handle the starting QB role. Additionally, their contract with Darnold is on a year-to-year basis, meaning they could sideline Darnold whenever they feel Milroe is ready to take charge. Darnold would be the Seahawks’ starter in 2025, but the real quarterback battle would begin in the 2026 season.