Sam Darnold just helped deliver the Seattle Seahawks their second Lombardi Trophy, but let’s rewind for a moment. Coming into the season, there were real questions about whether he’d even finish the year as the starter.
Now? He’s not just the guy - he’s the guy, and the Seahawks’ quarterback situation is suddenly one of the more intriguing in the league.
Last March, Seattle made a calculated move by signing Darnold to a three-year deal after his late-season resurgence with the Vikings. But they didn’t stop there. Just over a month later, they drafted Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe in the third round - a clear hedge, a developmental play, or maybe a little of both.
Fast forward to now, and Milroe’s rookie season was largely spent in the background. He was inactive for most game days, serving as the emergency third quarterback. He saw the field in just three games early in the year, taking a single snap in each - all part of a specialty package - and didn’t appear in a game after Week 5.
With Darnold now entrenched as the starter, and Drew Lock locked in as the backup through 2026, Milroe’s path to playing time in Seattle looks pretty narrow. That’s led to a natural question as the offseason kicks into gear: Should the Seahawks consider trading Milroe?
It’s not a far-fetched idea. This year’s quarterback market - both in the draft and free agency - is widely viewed as underwhelming.
There are more teams looking for quarterbacks than there are quality options available. That puts a player like Milroe, still young and athletic with untapped upside, in a unique position.
Think of him as a lottery ticket for a QB-needy team.
Former NFL wide receiver and Seahawks Radio Network analyst Michael Bumpus sees the logic in shopping Milroe - especially given Seattle’s broader offseason puzzle.
“With all the contracts that are coming up or free agents that are coming up that you gotta pay, you’re gonna need some replacements, you’re gonna need some replenishment,” Bumpus said. “And I think [Milroe] would be the perfect one for that.”
Bumpus added that if Darnold hadn’t played the way he did - leading the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title - the conversation might be different. But now? The calculus has changed.
“That’s the first thing I’m doing is saying, who needs a quarterback?” Bumpus said.
“Especially with the draft class coming out this year - there’s not a whole lot of talent. Obviously, these guys can play, but we’re talking about top-tier projection.
There’s not a lot. And there are some teams that might be looking for a quarterback or two.
So yeah, I’d explore it easily.”
The Seahawks have more than just Milroe’s future to think about. They’ve got a group of key players heading into free agency: Kenneth Walker III, Rashid Shaheed, Boye Mafe, Riq Woolen, Josh Jobe, and Coby Bryant are all set to hit the market. That’s a lot of talent potentially walking out the door.
The good news? Seattle’s sitting on a healthy cap situation.
According to OverTheCap.com, they’ve got over $72 million in cap space - sixth-most in the league. But that cushion could shrink quickly if the team decides to extend young stars like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon, both entering the final year of their rookie deals.
And then there’s the draft. Seattle currently holds just four picks - not exactly a full arsenal for retooling a Super Bowl roster.
That’s another reason why Milroe could be viewed as a trade chip. He’s a young, controllable asset who could bring back picks or fill a need elsewhere.
So why not trade Drew Lock instead? After all, he’s the more experienced backup.
Simple, Bumpus says: Milroe has more trade value.
“You’re trying to rebuild this team,” he said. “Most of these [impending free agents] ain’t gonna be back. So how you build this team outside of the draft is you take one of your assets and you try to ship them out.”
Co-host Stacy Rost echoed that logic - but from the other side of the coin. With Seattle entering 2026 as a legitimate Super Bowl contender, the priority has to be on short-term security. And that means keeping the backup quarterback who gives you the best shot to win now.
“If Sam Darnold were to get hurt in Week 10, who do you have more faith in: Drew Lock, who has not only started games for multiple NFL teams, but who has started games for Seattle, or Jalen Milroe, who’s a rookie who was in for like a cool play one time?” Rost asked. “You’re trusting Drew Lock.”
It’s a fair point. The Seahawks are built to win now. That means every roster spot - especially at quarterback - has to be optimized for the present.
Darnold is under contract through 2027, and an extension could be on the table sooner rather than later. If he continues playing at this level, Seattle may want to lock him in before the market shifts again.
And as for Milroe? Bumpus offered a fitting comparison.
“You know who Jalen is? He’s Harry Ford,” Bumpus said, referencing the Mariners’ former top catching prospect.
“He’s blocked. He is blocked because this team [is] going into next year as Super Bowl favorites, playoff potential, competing for the division.
If something were to happen to Sam, you gotta go with something that gives you the best chance to win right now, and that’s hardly a guy who hasn’t played many snaps in the NFL.”
Milroe still has upside. But for a team trying to stay on top, upside might not be enough.
The Seahawks have a rare opportunity to capitalize on a championship window - and they’ll need every resource, every roster spot, every decision to align with that goal. Trading Milroe might not be just a possibility.
It could be the smart play.