ClutchPoints
Preseason football can often create more noise than clarity. That was quite clear after the Seattle Seahawks’ final preseason game of 2025. Rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe, tasked with his first NFL start, endured a rough outing against the Green Bay Packers. It included three fumbles, no third-down conversions, and a sputtering offense. Naturally, critics were quick to pounce. They drew sweeping conclusions about his readiness, temperament, and future in Seattle. As is often the case with preseason football, though, the truth is far more nuanced.
The Seattle Seahawks’ 2025 preseason is over, with their final game being a 20-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers on August 23. The team closed out its exhibition slate at 1-1-1, with a tie against Pete Carroll’s Las Vegas Raiders, a win over the Tennessee Titans, and then the disappointing finale in Green Bay. Sure, the record is uninspiring. However, the preseason was less about wins and losses and more about roster evaluation, particularly at quarterback.
In that finale, Milroe started against a Green Bay defense that played several regular contributors. Milroe’s aforementioned stat line reflected the struggle. He showed limited passing production and a lack of sustained drives. He was operating behind a patchwork offensive line made up of reserves. That was a recipe for constant pressure and little rhythm. Head coach Mike Macdonald acknowledged Milroe’s rawness. However, he also pointed out the rookie’s potential as a runner and strong-armed passer who simply needs developmental time. With Sam Darnold set to open the season as the starter and Drew Lock clearly positioned as the next man up, Milroe remains a long-term project, not an immediate solution. Still, his rocky finale has fueled plenty of overreactions that miss the larger picture.
Here we’ll try to look at and discuss some overreactions to Jalen Milroe’ subpar preseason finale for the Seattle Seahawks.
The loudest hot take following Milroe’s performance is that he’s already a liability who doesn’t deserve a roster spot. Critics point to the three fumbles and stagnant drives as proof that he’s unfit for the NFL. This overreaction, however, ignores both the context and Seattle’s investment in him. Drafted in the third round, Milroe was never expected to walk into the league as a polished starter. His job this year is to develop and provide depth in a quarterback room that has undergone plenty of churn.
Remember that Milroe’s performance came behind a line of backups unlikely to see much time when the real games begin. Against Green Bay’s starters, he faced relentless pressure without the benefit of established protection or top weapons. To judge him solely on those circumstances misses the point. Seattle drafted Milroe precisely because he has traits worth cultivating. His mobility, arm strength, and ability to extend plays give him upside that simply doesn’t vanish after one bad preseason game. For a team with Darnold and Lock ahead of him,...
