The Seattle Seahawks’ selection of quarterback Jalen Milroe in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft sparked immediate intrigue among analysts and fans alike. While initial speculation suggested the possibility of a hybrid role akin to the New Orleans Saints’ Taysom Hill, head coach Mike Macdonald has emphatically clarified that Milroe will be developed exclusively as a quarterback. This report synthesizes recent developments, coaching insights, and historical context to provide a detailed examination of Milroe’s projected role, his potential impact on Seattle’s offense, and the implications for fantasy football managers.
A Quarterback-Centric Development Plan
From the moment Milroe was drafted, the Seahawks’ leadership has consistently emphasized his identity as a traditional quarterback. General Manager John Schneider described him as a “unique, special athlete” but reiterated that the team’s priority is to “develop him as a quarterback”. This stance was reinforced by Macdonald, who dismissed comparisons to Taysom Hill’s multi-positional role during a press conference, stating, “Jalen is a quarterback through and through. He’s going to be trained to play quarterback for us. When he’s in there, he’s going to be playing quarterback”.
Milroe’s athletic profile—highlighted by a 4.37-second 40-yard dash and game speeds exceeding 21 miles per hour—naturally invites creative usage ideas. However, Macdonald’s philosophy focuses on harnessing this athleticism within a quarterback framework. “The worst feeling in the world is you play the first play of the play perfectly on defense… Then the guy still has the ball,” Macdonald noted, highlighting Milroe’s ability to extend plays through improvisation. This dual-threat capability aligns with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s system, which values quarterbacks who can stress defenses both inside and outside the pocket.
Strategic Package Integration
Despite the commitment to traditional quarterback development, the Seahawks have signaled plans to deploy Milroe in specialized packages during his rookie season. Team sources indicate that these packages will leverage his rushing ability in high-leverage situations such as red-zone opportunities and short-yardage scenarios. ESPN’s Brady Henderson reported that Milroe could see “a handful of snaps per game” in these designed roles, even while serving as the QB3 behind Sam Darnold and Drew Lock.
This approach mirrors historical two-quarterback systems, such as the 1980s Miami Dolphins’ use of Don Strock and David Woodley, albeit with a modern twist. Unlike Taysom Hill’s positionally fluid role, Milroe’s packages will keep him under center, utilizing run-pass options (RPOs) and quarterback-designed runs to capitalize on his 1,257 career rushing yards and 32 touchdowns at Alabama. The distinction is critical: while Hill often lines up as a tight end or fullback, Milroe’s value derives from defensive uncertainty about whether he’ll throw or run as a quarterback.
Blending Rookies with Veterans
The Seahawks’ organized team activities (OTAs) in late May provided the first glimpse of Milroe working within Kubiak’s offense. Reports from Renton describe a focus on refining his footwork and timing within the pocket, with particular attention to reducing his reliance on scrambling. Veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp, acquired via offseason trade, has reportedly taken a mentorship role, helping Milroe read NFL-level coverages during seven-on-seven drills.
While Darnold remains the clear QB1, offensive assistants have experimented with Milroe in motion-heavy formations that create mismatches against linebackers. During a May 27 practice session, Milroe executed a designed rollout that resulted in a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, showcasing his ability to marry athleticism with precision. These reps, though limited, suggest the coaching staff is gradually building a package that amplifies his strengths without overwhelming him with complex reads.
Mechanical Adjustments and Progress
Dane Brugler’s pre-draft assessment of Milroe as a “developmental option for a patient coaching staff” underscores the long-term nature of this project. Early in OTAs, quarterbacks coach Greg Olson has prioritized shortening Milroe’s throwing motion and improving his weight transfer on deep balls—mechanical flaws that contributed to his 56.5% completion rate at Alabama in 2024. Initial results are promising: beat writers noted improved velocity consistency on intermediate routes compared to rookie minicamp, per Seahawks Wire.
Sam Darnold’s Tenure and Contract Dynamics
Darnold’s three-year, $100.5 million contract includes an escape clause after the 2025 season, a structure that incentivizes the Seahawks to evaluate Milroe’s readiness. The former USC quarterback’s career resurgence in 2024—highlighted by a 68.9% completion rate and 8.1 yards per attempt over his final five games—provides a high floor, but the organization remains mindful of his inconsistent track record.
Kubiak’s offense, which helped revive Geno Smith’s career in 2022, emphasizes play-action and vertical stretching, concepts that align with Darnold’s arm strength. However, the addition of Milroe introduces a change-of-pace element that could keep defenses off-balance. As Macdonald observed, “He can kill you in the first play, the second play, the third play. It’s not a fun existence to live consistently”.
Historical Precedents for Two-Quarterback Systems
The NFL has seen sporadic attempts at two-quarterback systems, with mixed results. The 1982 Dolphins reached Super Bowl XVII using Strock and Woodley situationally, while the 2008 Florida Tim Tebow/Chris Leak combination dominated college football. However, modern success stories are rare, largely due to the premium placed on quarterback continuity.
Seattle’s approach diverges by maintaining positional consistency—both Darnold and Milroe are pure quarterbacks—while varying skill sets. This strategy bears resemblance to the Baltimore Ravens’ use of Lamar Jackson as a rookie behind Joe Flacco in 2018, though Jackson’s eventual transition to starter was always anticipated. For Milroe, the path to QB1 hinges on rapid development as a passer; until then, his role will remain supplementary.
Redraft Leagues: Limited Immediate Value
In redraft formats, Milroe’s 2025 fantasy ceiling is constrained by Darnold’s grip on the starting job. Barring injury, his projected 5-8 snaps per game in specialty packages are unlikely to yield consistent points. However, his rushing upside makes him a intriguing streaming option in weeks where the Seahawks face favorable red-zone matchups. Historical data shows that quarterbacks with 8+ rushing attempts per game average 4.2 more fantasy points than pure pocket passers, a gap that could make Milroe viable in deep leagues during bye weeks.
Dynasty Leagues: A High-Reward Stash
For dynasty managers, Milroe represents one of the draft’s most tantalizing lottery tickets. His 32 rushing touchdowns at Alabama underscore elite goal-line potential, while Seattle’s patient development plan mitigates the bust risk associated with raw prospects. The Seahawks’ potential exit from Darnold’s contract in 2026 further enhances Milroe’s long-term appeal, as the team could pivot to him as the starter ahead of a stacked 2026 quarterback class.
Scouts have drawn parallels to Anthony Richardson’s profile, albeit with a third-round price tag that reduces acquisition cost. Managers in superflex leagues should target Milroe in the late second or early third round, banking on his athleticism to offset passing growing pains.
Conclusion: Balancing Present and Future
The Seahawks’ handling of Jalen Milroe reflects a nuanced understanding of modern quarterback development. By resisting the allure of a gimmicky hybrid role, Macdonald and Kubiak are investing in Milroe’s growth as a complete passer while selectively deploying his athleticism in high-value situations. This dual approach—rooted in historical precedent but tailored to contemporary scheming—could yield dividends both for Seattle’s playoff aspirations and Milroe’s trajectory as a franchise cornerstone.
For fantasy managers, patience is paramount. Milroe’s 2025 impact may be sporadic, but his skill set offers a rare combination of floor (via rushing) and ceiling (via potential starter status) that makes him a compelling long-term asset. As OTAs transition into training camp, all eyes will be on how Kubiak’s playbook evolves to harness one of the draft’s most dynamic talents.
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