Alabama QB Jalen Milroe had an inconsistent week at the Senior Bowl, culminating in a disappointing performance during Saturday’s game.
Milroe, who played for the American team, was seen warming up before the 2025 Senior Bowl against the National Team at Hancock Whitney Stadium on February 1, 2025, in Mobile, AL. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images | Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images.
Social media reactions to Milroe’s performance at the Senior Bowl were harsh, with many questioning his decision to enter the 2025 NFL Draft early.
During the week in Mobile, Milroe had a mixed performance, struggling in practices on Tuesday and Wednesday but bouncing back with a solid outing on Thursday. He displayed impressive deep-ball accuracy, a trait that has made him an intriguing prospect, but struggled with short and intermediate throws, missing several attempts.
In Saturday’s game, Milroe completed 3-of-5 passes for 18 yards, rushed three times for 11 yards, and took three sacks. His pocket presence remained a challenge, a pattern that persisted during his two years as Alabama’s starting quarterback. Milroe also missed a throw over the middle and failed to take any significant shots downfield to showcase his deep-ball skills. As a result, his draft stock after the Senior Bowl appears uncertain, with early feedback being mostly negative.
Social media critics were unforgiving towards the former Crimson Tide quarterback, especially regarding the missed pass over the middle intended for Georgia’s Arian Smith.
While many were critical of Milroe, former NFL quarterback Kurt Benkert’s comments offered a more nuanced perspective. Benkert, like others, believes Milroe could have a future in the NFL—under the right circumstances.
However, Benkert emphasizes that Milroe should not be thrust into a starting role in 2025. Instead, he needs time to develop, sitting and learning before getting meaningful playing time. Milroe could be used in a limited role, utilizing his athleticism, but forcing him to start next season could hurt his growth or even derail his career.
Despite this, it’s likely Milroe will still be selected in the first round as teams will be intrigued by his potential and talent. The draft will likely see a team take a chance on him early.
For the sake of fairness, I hope Alabama fans can start supporting him rather than wishing for his failure. Milroe gave his all to Alabama and could have transferred for a bigger payday, possibly improving his draft stock for the 2026 draft. Instead, he entered the 2025 draft because being an Alabama quarterback meant everything to him. This should be appreciated in today’s football landscape.
