Mike MacDonald Deems Jalen Milroe Unfit as Seahawks Deploy Emergency Plan, Per Insider

The Seahawks drafted Jalen Milroe, knowing he’d sit behind Sam Darnold and Drew Lock this season. HC Mike Macdonald even hinted at special packages for the Alabama rookie, giving him chances in specific situations beyond typical third-string duties. The 92nd overall pick brings unique athleticism that could create mismatches. But is that the truth, or is there another reality that might hit harder than expected?

NFL analysts are sounding alarm bells about Jalen Milroe’s readiness after his disastrous preseason finale. The rookie fumbled thrice against Green Bay‘s backups, handing the Packers 10 points and exposing glaring ball security issues. Critics argue Milroe isn’t remotely close to Russell Wilson‘s 2012 pro-readiness, despite Seattle’s history of finding third-round gems. His turnover troubles have analysts questioning if Mike Macdonald made a costly miscalculation.

Seattle coach Mike MacDonald’s cautious approach with Jalen Milroe speaks volumes. Despite earmarking plays and game plans tailored to the rookie’s athleticism, the HC’s comments hint at serious reservations. “First of all, he needs reps, as does Drew [Lock]. We’re going to have plays for Jalen and game plans, and he’s going to rep those with the ones,” MacDonald said, underscoring ongoing development rather than readiness. Milroe’s unique physical tools could carve out red zone mismatches, the kind Conor Orr envisioned, but the preseason tape reveals a quarterback still very much finding his footing — and it’s far from a smooth process.

Milroe’s preseason performance spoke volumes. Against Green Bay, he completed 13 of 24 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown but was sacked five times, fumbled three times, and lost all of those fumbles. The turnovers were costly, accounting for a significant portion of Seattle’s 20-7 loss. Early in the game, two back-to-back turnovers directly led to Green Bay scoring a field goal and a touchdown. Macdonald stated after the game, “Every one turnover from the quarterback position you have to build on. You have to take care of the football. All of those are on me,” underscoring the rookie’s red zone blunders as a learning point.

MacDonald’s balancing act is obvious. There is a belief, but it is tempered by realism. The coach’s insistence on first-team reps in practice is about more than development; it’s about assessing whether Milroe can translate raw talent into productive play without costly errors. “However we build the package for him, going into games, he needs those reps in walk-through and full-speed, so that’s going to be important,” MacDonald said. The takeaway is clear: Milroe’s skill set intrigues, but until he consistently protects the football and improves in critical areas like the red zone, MacDonald deems him unfit for greater responsibility.

Some suspect Macdonald’s playing mind games with opponents. Forcing teams to prepare for Milroe packages eats into the time they’d spend studying Sam Darnold’s base offense. A smart strategy if true, but risky if Milroe can’t handle the pressure when his number is called. Despite the bumps along the way, this Seahawks QB is proving he’s got the potential to soar.

Jalen Milroe shows promise despite preseason struggles

The kid got thrown to the wolves Saturday night. Jalen Milroe took every snap in Seattle’s preseason finale against Green Bay, knowing full well this was his last audition before riding the bench all season. What unfolded was pure chaos — the kind that either breaks rookies or builds character. Milroe chose the latter. Behind Seattle’s practice squad offensive line, the Alabama product got pummeled: five sacks, three fumbles lost, constant pressure breathing down his neck. Yet Milroe never flinched, never pointed fingers, never let frustration crack his composure.

The numbers tell two stories. Milroe went 13-for-24, throwing for 124 yards and a touchdown without tossing an interception. His legs added 31 rushing yards on seven scrambles. A six-yard touchdown run was wiped out by holding — typical preseason luck for a rookie. Mike Macdonald made a calculated decision to put his second- and third-string linemen out there. These guys won’t even make Tuesday’s roster cuts. Milroe knew it too. He understood the assignment: survive, learn, and prove you belong despite impossible circumstances.

The tape shows flashes of brilliance mixed with rookie mistakes. Milroe’s arm talent jumps off the screen when he has time. His mobility creates plays that shouldn’t exist. However, ball security remains a concern, and pocket presence requires improvement. Seattle’s not rushing their investment. Milroe will spend 2025 watching, studying, and developing. The potential is undeniable, though. Saturday’s performance under fire revealed the mental toughness that separates future starters from career backups. Sometimes getting beaten up is the best education a quarterback can receive.