The quarterback position has been one of the most interesting for the Seattle Seahawks this offseason.
After trading away quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders in what was a somewhat surprising move, the Seahawks signed former Minnesota Vikings signal-caller Sam Darnold to take his place.
But the Seahawks may have added Darnold's successor before he even takes his first snap with the Seahawks, as the team drafted Alabama product Jalen Milroe in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft.
Because of that selection, USA TODAY's Nate Davis now believes that Darnold is on "thin ice" ahead of his first season with the Seahawks.
"Yes, he just signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract with his latest team," Davis wrote. "Yes, this is the 13-year anniversary of GM John Schneider signing Matt Flynn to be the starter in free agency before spending a third-round pick on Russell Wilson, who won the QB1 role shortly thereafter. Yes, Schneider just picked talented – but flawed – QB Jalen Milroe in Round 3.
"It seems unlikely Milroe, an exceptional threat as a runner but a project as a passer, would displace Darnold this season. But next year?" Davis pondered.
While the selection of Milroe isn't a great sign for the long-term future of Darnold, it is far too early to even consider writing the veteran off.
After all, there's simply no guarantee that Milroe will develop into a starting-caliber NFL quarterback. Furthermore, Darnold would have to fail miserably in 2025 and Milroe would have to be fully ready to start in 2026 for the former to be replaced following his first season in Seattle.
We tend to believe Milroe will be a multi-year project and the earliest we could see him taking over the starting job is late 2026 if Darnold and the Seahawks struggle.
Even after the Seahawks drafted Milroe, it's far too early to be asking this question for Darnold. But it is something we could revisit in 2026.
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