Milroe, who turns 24 during the 2026 season, was selected as the No. 92 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft (third round). He earned a Super Bowl ring in his rookie year as a backup.
The proposed scenario suggests the Jets could benefit from added quarterback depth during a highly competitive training camp with a tight roster bubble. Sam Darnold is expected to be the starter, and Drew Lock appears to be the presumed backup. Milroe, a second-year quarterback, could end up on the outside looking in if the Jets decide to lean on their established players.
The analysis notes that Milroe was drafted as insurance in case Darnold didn’t succeed. Darnold’s performance, culminating in a Super Bowl win, has clouded Milroe’s long-term outlook with Seattle. For Milroe, there could be teams interested in his potential as a future QB2 for the upcoming season, with several teams in the AFC East identified as possibilities. The Jets, with questions at the quarterback position beyond Geno Smith, might see Milroe as a option to add upside and versatility.
Milroe is under contract for three more years on a rookie deal worth $6.2 million. In 2025, he appeared in three games but did not start. He had three rushing attempts for four yards.
One NFL analyst highlighted Milroe’s strengths and areas for improvement. He is described as an explosive athlete who can operate well outside the pocket, but he can struggle with accuracy, touch, and decision-making when working from inside the pocket. Challenges with anticipation and timing can lead to interceptions and contested throws in intermediate areas. While he has an NFL-grade arm, refining footwork and delivery could improve accuracy across all levels. Milroe can go through reads confidently when protected, but pressure or uncertainty can make him predictable and easier for defenses to disrupt.
Another comparison noted Milroe’s physical profile: built like a Will linebacker, with receiver-style rushing ability and big-play potential on designed runs and scrambles. His deep-ball passing showed promise in 2023, but a regression in 2024 makes projecting high-level pocket success more difficult. A strong arm and elite speed will attract interest, but teams would still need a plan to maximize his touches if he doesn’t secure a starting role.
The Jets do not necessarily need a full-time starter, as Geno Smith is the incumbent, but backup depth remains an open question. In the past, the Jets experimented with a dual-threat quarterback in a change-of-pace role, aiming to provide unconventional looks for defenses. Milroe’s potential fit could revolve around packaged plays and versatile sub-packages rather than a conventional starter role.
In college, Milroe was a standout at Alabama, leading the team in rushing in his final collegiate season with 726 rushing yards and finishing among the leaders in rushing touchdowns for quarterbacks, including 20 rushing scores—an Alabama single-season record for QB rushing TDs.
The idea of acquiring Milroe is framed as an exploration of upside and organizational flexibility rather than a guaranteed upgrade. Teams often consider such moves to create competition, expand playbooks, and provide a longer-term developmental path behind a veteran starter.
Summary
– Milroe, 23 turning 24 in 2026, was a 2025 third-round pick and earned a rookie-year Super Bowl ring as a backup.
– A trade scenario suggests the Jets could add Milroe to strengthen quarterback depth behind Geno Smith.
– Milroe’s strengths include athleticism and playmaking ability outside the pocket; potential accuracy and decision-making improvements are needed with pocket work.
– His rookie contract runs three more years at $6.2 million.
– The Jets’ quarterback depth remains a topic of interest, with Milroe viewed as a potential versatile addition rather than an immediate starter.
