Earlier this year, the Seattle Seahawks acquired Sam Darnold, but they also drafted Jalen Milroe. Now, the NFC West club has shared a significant update on their starting quarterback competition.
At the end of the 2024 NFL season, rumors suggested that the Seahawks would take a new direction at the quarterback position. They ultimately moved on from Geno Smith and searched for another veteran to replace him.
Seattle found Sam Darnold available after he parted ways with the Vikings. However, they also added Jalen Milroe in the draft, and now everyone is wondering whether the rookie will take over as the starter.
Seahawks give major update on Jalen Milroe’s competition with Sam Darnold
When the Seahawks announced Sam Darnold as their newest quarterback, fans were thrilled. He had a solid stint with the Vikings and appeared to be the missing piece to lead Seattle back to contention.
However, things shifted slightly in recent weeks. During the 2025 NFL Draft, Seattle selected Jalen Milroe, the standout from Alabama who was regarded as a top-tier quarterback prospect.
His arrival raised questions among Seahawks fans. Many believe that, despite Darnold’s contract, Milroe could eventually take over as starter—similar to what happened with the Falcons in the Cousins–Penix Jr. situation.
Nevertheless, the Seahawks are not rushing the process. General Manager John Schneider confirmed that while Milroe’s talent is undeniable, the team understands he’ll need time to fully develop before stepping into a starting role.
“Obviously, [Jalen Milroe has a] high ceiling,” Schneider said on the Rich Eisen Show. “All these guys that come in — last year’s class was kind of a unicorn, really. But all these guys coming in, it takes a minute. It takes a lot of time for these guys to develop and get those pro reps. And, you know, [he had] several different coordinators, I think like three or four coordinators in college and several different position coaches. So, again, getting him in a system where he can be comfortable. And the staff’s going to try to do some unique things with him, the offensive staff.“
What is Sam Darnold’s contract with the Seattle Seahawks?
Even though Geno Smith’s tenure with the Seahawks wasn’t terrible, it fell short of the team’s expectations. As a result, they signed Sam Darnold to a significant deal to lead the offense moving forward.
The Seahawks handed Darnold a 3-year, $100.5 million contract this offseason, with $55 million guaranteed. Still, the addition of Jalen Milroe clearly shows the team views the former Alabama star as the potential long-term answer at quarterback.