Kalen DeBoer on Jalen Milroe's fit with Seattle Seahawks: 'What he brings is different'

The Seahawks reshaped their quarterback room this offseason, trading Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders and inking Sam Darnold to a sizable contract. Then, they took a swing during the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting former Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe with the No. 92 overall pick.

While he’s a talented signal-caller, Milroe’s skills as a passer are more raw than other quarterbacks in his draft class. His insane athleticism will give him a shot to be the long-term answer in Seattle. His college coach, Kalen DeBoer, believes that’ll be part of what separates him from the pack in the NFL.

“What he brings is different,” DeBoer told SiriusXM College Sports Radio. “I mean, there’s just no one else that I see out there at his position that can do the things he’s doing. You know, he understands that there’s development that needs to continue to happen, but I’m excited for him. Obviously, I know the region up there, and we’ve shared, you know, some conversations on, you know, living arrangements and things like that. I mean, I know they’ll help him out with that, but, you know, giving him some couple pointers and what to expect, just from my experiences. So, excited about that fit up there, him going in there and doing what he does. I know he’s super excited too, you know, going to a part of the country where he’s never lived, and you know, making a name for himself at a new place.

“He was there in the green room, and I couldn’t be more proud of, you know, him understanding that it could be a thing very easily where he fell out of the first round. I know for a lot of guys, that could be, you know, really disappointing, embarrassing, things like that. But you know, the piece that really made it a no-brainer in his mind, was the experience, to be there, first of all, to get that invite, take advantage of it. It happens once, once in a lifetime. Then, also to be there to support the other two guys. He did that, just as I would expect, and just like he’s always done, with a genuine love for his teammates and you know, first class all the way.”

DeBoer only spent one season with Milroe, but the quarterback posted career-best numbers during their time together, combining for 3,570 yards of total offense and 36 total touchdowns, including a career-high 20 rushing scores in 2024. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Milroe threw for 2,844 yards on 64.3% (205-of-319) passing with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, along with 726 rushing yards, as well.

Whether Jalen Milroe evolves into a starting caliber quarterback in the NFL remains to be seen, but Kalen DeBoer believes in the former Crimson Tide star. He won’t be pressed into action immediately, but the future is looking like it could be bright for the 22-year old, even in Seattle.