There’s been at least some chatter recently as to whether the Seahawks should make a push to trade for Micah Parsons or Trey Hendrickson. Sunday’s loss in the final pre-season game of the season is evidence as to why they’re unlikely to trade away premium assets.
Nobody should write off Jalen Milroe after one poor performance at the very start of his NFL career. However, what we saw was at least a reality check for those people wondering about his future starter potential. He didn’t look comfortable. Even as a scrambler, his physical talent didn’t jump off the screen. He was unable to move around and create. Overall he looked awkward.
It should put to bed any concept of a significant Milroe package for the regular season. There was no evidence here of a benefit to getting tricky on offense, trying to force him onto the field to befuddle opponents. Even the idea of using him in short-yardage situations in the way the Eagles use Jalen Hurts — you can’t help but think they’d be better off just running the ball conventionally after Milroe’s fumbling issues in Green Bay.
Longer term he will work on his craft behind the scenes and we’ll see how he is next camp and pre-season. It’s at least possible though that a so-so college career at Alabama is a precursor to a player not being good enough for the next level. He might just be an impressive person and athlete but not a NFL starter.
Adding to this, the Seahawks can’t even be sure Sam Darnold is the answer. They’re not committed to him long term and we’ll see how he goes in 2025. They can move on quite easily if needed.
The point I’m making is it’s not out of the realms of possibility the Seahawks will need to consider drafting a quarterback in 2026. Trading away high picks now will make that harder. As a franchise, they need to keep their options open. They can’t afford to go all-in on other players while they have question marks under center beyond the current season.
By this time next year perhaps Darnold has shown he’s ‘the guy’? Then you’d be in a very different place. For now though, it’s too soon to say.
This is very different to Green Bay, who’ve been linked with a move for Parsons. They’ve already thrown their lot in behind Jordan Love. They are banking on him being their man and now they have a duty to make it work. The Broncos are in a similar place with Bo Nix, Commanders with Jayden Daniels, Patriots with Drake Maye and Bears with Caleb Williams. So are the teams with already established elite quarterbacks. These are all more significant investments than the Seahawks have made at the position.
I have faith in Darnold to work in a system which will be set up to help him. I think there’s a good chance Klint Kubiak will be able to create an environment similar to the one Kyle Shanahan has in San Francisco. That will put the Seahawks in a winning position.
Faith needs to become reality though. Until we’ve actually seen it on the field, you just don’t know.
As a franchise the Seahawks still have a question mark next to the quarterback position long term. While that remains the case, they can’t go around trading multiple picks for other players. They have to keep their options open for now, just in case their high picks are needed next year.
