Macdonald praises Jalen Milroe’s ‘tremendous’ work in practice

As the Seattle Seahawks’ third-string quarterback, Jalen Milroe almost never gets to take first-team reps in practice.

Seahawks Injury Report: Multiple players to return vs Raiders

But with Sam Darnold sidelined by injury and Drew Lock’s workload being managed due to ailments of his own, Milroe got some work with the No. 1 offense each of the past two weeks.

And on Friday, head coach Mike Macdonald made a point during his news conference to give Milroe unprompted praise.

“Jalen Milroe has done a tremendous job when he’s been in there with the ones,” Macdonald said. “I’ve just been really, really impressed. He’s worked extremely hard and he’s been very decisive. He’s delivering the ball accurately, on time. He’s done a great job filling in for Drew when we need him.”

Lock will make his second straight fill-in start for Darnold on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, with Milroe again serving as the gameday backup.

It will be Milroe’s fourth straight game in that role. In addition to backing up Lock the past two weeks, Milroe was the gameday backup to Darnold against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7 and the Chicago Bears in Week 8, due to Lock being inactive for both games with a right elbow injury that was later reported to be “severe tendonitis.”

And with Lock being limited in practice due to his elbow injury – along with an oblique injury he suffered in this past Sunday’s win over the Arizona Cardinals – it created a rare opportunity for Milroe.

“As funky as this situation is, it’s great to see what he’s capable of doing with the starters,” Macdonald said. “Any time you’re down your starters, those are really valuable reps. … So he’s definitely taken advantage of it.”

When the Seahawks drafted Milroe with a third-round pick in 2025, they did so knowing the dual-threat Alabama product was a developmental project who needed plenty of polishing as a passer and decision-maker in the pocket.

Milroe struggled during his first preseason in 2025 and had an underwhelming first two preseason games this year, but he seemed to turn a corner in Seattle’s preseason finale against the Chiefs in August. Milroe was sharp, decisive and in rhythm throughout that game, completing 16 of 26 passes for 223 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

It appears Milroe has built on that with his performance in practice the past two weeks.

“It’s been really, really good to see him take control in that situation and show everyone in the huddle, especially, that they can be confident when he’s out there,” offensive coordinator Brian Fleury said. “So he’s made the most of that opportunity.”

Seattle Seahawks news and more

• Daniel Jeremiah: Seahawks’ QB situation has ‘easy roadmap’
• How rookie QBs have fared against Mike Macdonald’s Seahawks
• Charbonnet gives Seattle Seahawks’ offense something ‘different’

Related

Stacy Rost: 2 numbers that matter for Seahawks vs RaidersFAA’s nationwide ground stop throws sports weekend into chaosSeahawks Injury Report: Multiple players to return vs RaidersBrock: The Seahawks player who needs a big game vs RaidersAnalyst ‘surprised’ Seahawks didn’t trade for WR at deadlineSeahawks have ‘no concerns’ about Drew Lock’s status vs Raiders