Sam Darnold's Super Bowl Run Just Made Seattle's Backup QB a Prime Trade Target

Alright, 12s, let's talk about something brewing on the sidelines that might not be getting enough noise right now. We all know Sam Darnold is our guy, locked in after leading the Hawks to a Super Bowl victory, a run that launched Jaxon Smith-Njigba into conversations for the league's best receiver. But what about the young arm behind him? Jalen Milroe, our backup passer, is talented but raw, and his situation is getting sticky. Teams are looking, folks, and that No. 92 pick from the 2025 NFL Draft could be a hot commodity very, very soon.

Darnold's Iron Grip: Why Our QB1 Is Untouchable

Let's be real: Sam Darnold isn't going anywhere. Our 29-year-old quarterback isn't just a starter, he's the leader who took us all the way, pushing Jaxon Smith-Njigba into that "best receiver in the NFL" chat. The man is close to untouchable, and for good reason. His performance means stability, it means a championship, and it means Jalen Milroe isn't usurping that spot any time soon. Milroe can definitely hang around as an upside backup, soaking up wisdom from a strong starter and getting coached up by Mike Macdonald's impressive staff. But is that the best use of that young arm for more than another year or two? Probably not.

The Raw Talent That Has The League Circling Our Sidelines

So, if Milroe isn't taking Darnold's job here in the Emerald City, what's his path? Well, a trade is quite possible. He was chosen at No. 92 in the 2025 NFL Draft, and while he's fa

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r from a lock to develop into a strong QB1, the upside is undeniable. Lance Zierlein from the NFL's website had some fascinating insights on Milroe going into that draft. He's an explosive athlete, super capable outside the pocket. Zierlein noted he's "built like a Will linebacker, runs like a receiver and is a threat to hit the home run on called runs and scrambles." That's exciting stuff for any team looking for a dynamic weapon! But, and it's a big but, there are areas to develop. He "lacks accuracy, touch and decision-making when he’s inside the pocket" and "a lack of anticipation and timing leads to interceptions and contested throws to intermediate areas of the field." He had a strong arm, but his 2024 regression in deep-ball passing makes it tougher to project immediate pocket success. The bottom line: elite speed and a strong arm intrigue teams, but he needs to fine-tune his footwork and delivery to boost that accuracy. So, what’s the real talk here for us 12s? Milroe has benefited immensely from his time here, soaking up wisdom from Darnold and getting coached up by Mike Macdonald’s impressive staff. But with our QB1 securely in place, and other teams like the Vikings potentially needing a reset, his clock is ticking. Their new GM, who did tremendously well with our Seahawks, has already brought over talent from the Emerald City, with three of their four new players having a connection to us! Keep an eye on Milroe’s development. His raw talent and elite speed are undeniable. What happens next could shape our roster for seasons to come. Go Hawks!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.