ClutchPoints
The Seattle Seahawks have entered a new era, and with it comes a new quarterback generating buzz. Sure, much of the NFL world has been fixated on the team’s major roster overhauls and coaching changes. However, the early standout from 2025 minicamp is none other than rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe. In a city that’s seen its fair share of quarterback legends, Milroe is beginning to carve his own identity. It’s one that has the potential to reshape the Seahawks’ future.
Coming off an upstart first season under Mike Macdonald, the Seattle Seahawks had a respectable offseason. The defensive-minded coach tabbed Klint Kubiak to replace Ryan Grubb as offensive coordinator to bring a more balanced approach. The personnel will look a bit different from when he was hired, though.
The Seahawks traded Geno Smith to the Raiders and replaced him with Sam Darnold. Under Kevin O’Connell, Darnold revived his career in Minnesota. He comes with a lot more risk than Smith, but he also brings a higher ceiling if the system clicks.
Perhaps the most seismic changes came at wide receiver. Darnold won’t have DK Metcalf at his disposal after the team traded him to the Steelers. They also moved on from long-time stalwart Tyler Lockett. However, the Seahawks mitigated these losses by signing Cooper Kupp. He’s a player they know well from his years terrorizing Seattle defenses as a member of the Rams. His pairing with emerging star Jaxon Smith-Njigba gives Seattle a dynamic tandem for their aerial attack.
Up front, the Seahawks sought to shore up their offensive line by drafting Grey Zabel in the first round. Seattle’s interior line had its struggles, of course. Zabel’s arrival brings stability and upside to protect whoever lines up under center.
On the defensive side, Seattle doubled down on their strength. The addition of veteran pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence further bolsters a unit that ranked third in pressure rate without blitzing (36.5 percent) in 2024. Yes, Lawrence may be entering more of a rotational phase in his career. That said, his experience and leadership are invaluable. The team also added safety Nick Emmanwori to inject athleticism and versatility into a secondary that helped the Seahawks finish sixth in Defense+ last season.
Yet for all the high-profile moves Seattle made, it’s one rookie quarterback who’s commanding much of the attention at minicamp.
Entering the 2025 draft, few expected Seattle to invest heavily at quarterback after acquiring Darnold. Yet when Jalen Milroe’s name was called, it signaled that the Seahawks are thinking both short- and long-term. Milroe is only the third quarterback Seattle has drafted since 2010. That fact alone speaks volumes about how highly the franchise thinks of him.
From his first minicamp practice, Milroe has approached the NFL transition with professionalism and poise. He and fellow rookie Will Rogers, an undrafted free agent, were immediately thrust into a traditional pro-style offense during drills. It notably avoided designed quarterback runs, even though...
