Jalen Milroe’s time as Alabama’s starting quarterback was a mix of exciting moments and frustrating inconsistencies. As he heads to the NFL, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum shared his thoughts on Milroe’s career at Alabama, suggesting that the team might actually feel relieved by his departure.
Finebaum pointed out, “I think Kalen DeBoer is happy that he’s gone,” hinting that Alabama’s head coach had a tough time adapting his offensive system to fit Milroe's playing style. DeBoer prefers pocket passers like Michael Penix Jr., so working with Milroe, who brings a dual-threat dynamic to the game, wasn’t an easy fit. Finebaum added, “They were stuck with him. It was hard to implement DeBoer’s system because that’s not the type of player Milroe is.”
During the 2024 season, Milroe had some standout stats, throwing for 2,844 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, plus 726 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns. Despite those numbers, Finebaum didn’t hold back on his criticism, calling some of Milroe's on-field performances “borderline terrible” and raising doubts about his future in the NFL.
Finebaum acknowledged Milroe’s contributions but stressed how challenging it was to make him fit into a system meant for a different kind of quarterback. He noted that their styles just didn’t mesh, which affected the team’s overall offensive flow.
Now that Milroe is moving on, Alabama has a chance to look for quarterbacks who are a better match for DeBoer’s system. This could lead to a more cohesive offensive unit as they work toward their goals.
Finebaum's comments shed light on the challenges of the quarterback-coach relationship and how crucial it is for a player to fit into a system to reach their full potential. While Milroe's exit might be bittersweet, it could ultimately help both him and Alabama find a better path that aligns with what they’re looking to achieve.