With training camp ramping up, a ton of focus will be paid toward the Seattle Seahawks' intriguing rookie class, especially the Alabama quarterback they selected in the third round.
The Seahawks revamped the quarterback room outside of keeping Drew Lock in the fold as a backup option. Of course, Sam Darnold will take the lead, but third-round selection Jalen Milroe will have every pass and every word scrutinized over the next month and change.
While the situation rings similar to Russell Wilson’s start with the franchise, it certainly seems like the camp battle for Milroe is more so with Lock than it is with Darnold. But even if the 22-year-old quarterback is simply competing to be the backup, his first training camp is a massive opportunity for him to start his NFL career on the right foot.
A pivotal month for Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe’s long-term growth
Bleacher Report recently highlighted five rookies entering their first NFL training camp with the most to gain, and Milroe was an intriguing addition to the list that was largely composed of mid-round selections who will only see the field sparingly in their first season. Still, he stands to play the least among them.
Nonetheless, Milroe’s draft profile, no matter which one you read, was clear that he would need time in the oven before taking over a franchise as a starting quarterback. His athleticism aside, his decision-making and accuracy need some serious work.
“In (Klint) Kubiak's scheme, Milroe can improve as a pocket passing quarterback to pair with his electric and explosive rushing ability,” B/R’s Damian Parson wrote.
Seattle's structure might be exactly what Milroe needs
Overall, training camp gives Milroe a chance to operate in a structured setting while ironing out the kinks in his throwing motion and progressions. After all, he made his biggest leaps as a passer in Tuscaloosa while he was the backup to Bryce Young. Once he was the starter, he didn’t show nearly as much progression.
There’s no doubt that a specialized scheme will help rein in the erratic quarterback. At Alabama, his athleticism helped hide his limitations at times, especially against inferior competition. In the NFL, that isn’t going to fly as effectively, so tightening the focus on executing a proven scheme should help contextualize his duties as a future quarterback.
With that in mind, Lock isn’t an easy quarterback to pass on the depth chart for Milore. He’s been a solid backup for Seattle, and he’s shown a competitive edge throughout his career that shows he won’t just hand the backup role to the new guy. Still, it’s Milroe’s first true test that can give Seahawks fans an early indicator of just how long he’ll have to stay in that proverbial oven.