Seahawks rookie QB Jalen Milroe already showing ‘a lot of growth’

RENTON – The sun rises particularly early this time of year in the Pacific Northwest.

But even before the crack of dawn, Jalen Milroe has been busy working at the Seattle Seahawks’ practice facility this spring.

“You see him in there at 4:30 in the morning on the field going through his plays,” Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak said last week. “Nobody asked him to do that, but he’s out there putting in extra time.”

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When the Seahawks drafted Milroe with their third-round pick in April, it was with a longer-term developmental plan in mind. The former Alabama dual-threat quarterback is a tantalizing athlete and an electric runner, but his passing still needed plenty of polishing – both from an accuracy and decision-making standpoint.

It appears that process is off to a good start.

“I’ve seen him grow a lot from rookie minicamp to now,” Kubiak said.

Milroe generally looked sharp during the team’s two-day mandatory minicamp this week, while continuing to work exclusively with the third-team offense.

On Tuesday, Milroe fired a touchdown pass to wide receiver Cody White on a slant route during a red-zone drill. And on Wednesday, he capped practice with a TD pass by zipping a dart up the seam to undrafted rookie tight end Marshall Lang.

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald also said he’s noticed “a lot of growth” from Milroe.

“You see the poise, the fundamental stuff, what we’re asking with footwork and timing and reads,” Macdonald said.

At one point during Wednesday’s practice, Macdonald let Milroe know how far he’s come.

“I was like, man, how much different does it feel right now compared to two months ago?” Macdonald said. “And he gave me a big smile. He was like, ‘Man, I feel great.’

“So he’s earned that feeling of confidence right now,” Macdonald added. “He’s earned that feeling going into the summer.”

Milroe likely will enter this season as Seattle’s No. 3 quarterback, behind presumptive starter Sam Darnold and backup Drew Lock. But there’s been speculation that Milroe’s rare ability as a runner could make him a perfect fit as a change-of-pace weapon in specialty packages.

When asked about that possibility, however, Kubiak said it all depends on what Milroe shows on the practice field.

“They’ve got to go earn it in practice,” Kubiak said. “So when they show it, then that’s when it’s time.”

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