Jalen Milroe will officially serve as the backup quarterback in Seattle. Sam Darnold, who was signed to a big deal this offseason, comes in as the Seahawks’ starter. Even so, head coach Mike Macdonald is looking for a way to get Milroe on the field during regular season games. Seattle plans to put together packages […]
Jalen Milroe will officially serve as the backup quarterback in Seattle. Sam Darnold, who was signed to a big deal this offseason, comes in as the Seahawks’ starter. Even so, head coach Mike Macdonald is looking for a way to get Milroe on the field during regular season games.
Seattle plans to put together packages for Milroe, most likely to take advantage of his legs. Certain game plans will get the former Alabama star in there. Macdonald explained how the Seahawks will plan on getting Milroe prepared for the opportunity, stating the most important part is making sure Darnold gets his work in first.
“We’re going to have plays for Jalen and game plans, and he’s going to rep those with the ones,” Macdonald said. “However we build the package for him, going into games, he needs those reps in walk-through and full-speed, so that’s going to be important. How we do it, who gets how many reps, all that. I mean Sam [Darnold], it starts with how many reps he needs to get ready and then we work off from there.”
Milroe got time in all three Seattle preseason games, throwing for 255 yards and a touchdown. The finale against the Green Bay Packers saw him play the entire game. Mixed results followed, totalling 148 yards and that touchdown while completing 13 of 24 passes. He added 31 yards on the ground via seven attempts.
Letting Milroe drop back and throw likely is not going to be a part of the playbook. After all, Darnold is making $100.5 million over three years for a reason. Seattle paid him handsomely for a reason.
However, it’s impossible to deny what Milroe could bring the run game when plays are designed for him. Alabama’s blowout win against the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge might be the best example. The Crimson Tide put together a plan for a good chunk of Milroe-designed runs, resulting in 185 yards and four touchdowns. Former Seahawks offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb is now in Tuscaloosa and could possibly help the two coaching staffs collaborate on ideas.
How quickly Macdonald decides to insert the plays, we will have to wait and see. The Seahawks open their year on Sept. 7 at home against the San Francisco 49ers, a big NFC West matchup out of the gates. One week later they fly across the country to play the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Category: Football
