Jalen Milroe Play Package Will Be Built for QB in NFL Rookie Season, Seahawks HC Says

The Seattle Seahawks are already working on a package of plays for Jalen Milroe despite the rookie's place behind Sam Darnold and Drew Lock on the quarterback depth chart.

Head coach Mike Macdonald expanded on the team's plans for Milroe, who established himself as both a run and pass threat at Alabama, when speaking on Monday to reporters.

"Yeah, of course," Macdonald said when asked if Milroe could play a role on the scout team. "Well, first of all, he needs reps, as does Drew."

Macdonald continued, "We're going to have plays for Jalen, and game plans, and he's going to rep those with the ones. However we build the package for him, going into games, he needs those reps and walkthrough, and full speed, so that's going to be important.

"How we do it, who gets how many reps and all that— obviously Sam, it starts with how many reps he needs to get ready, and then we kind of work off from there."

According to ESPN's Brady Henderson, Milroe spent the first week of his rookie training camp learning offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's scheme but appeared to be using bespoke plays with the third-team offense for the first time on July 31.

Milroe appeared in all three preseason games for the Seahawks this month, including his first start Thursday against the Green Bay Packers.

Milroe finished the preseason having gone 22-for-39 for a 56.4 percent pass accuracy rate, recording 255 passing yards and one touchdown. He was also sacked six times for 35 yards and lost three fumbles.

Macdonald acknowledged after last Thursday's loss to the Packers that turnovers were an area Milroe needed to work on, but praised Milroe's demeanor during the game.

"I think it's really just you be you. Don't try to be anybody else. Be Jalen Milroe," Macdonald said after Milroe's start, according to the team's transcript. "We want Sam to be Sam. We want Drew to be Drew. That's how you're going to get the best version of them. That's what I believe."

Milroe is just the third quarterback selected in 16 drafts led by general manager John Schneider. The Seahawks' work to begin developing him ahead of his rookie season could be seen as another mark of confidence the team believes he can improve his passing accuracy while working toward becoming a dual threat at the NFL level.