Seahawks fans split on Jalen Milroe's future in tight poll
The tanner mckee storyline sits outside this poll, but Seattle Seahawks fans are sharply split on Jalen Milroe's future: 54% expect him on the 53-man roster, 31% want him waived, and 15% favor a trade after back-to-back poor preseason games against Dallas and Tennessee. With 53-man cuts due August 30, head coach Mike Macdonald has handed Milroe one last showcase—starting and playing the entire preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday.
Key Takeaways
- 54% of polled fans still expect Milroe on the 53-man roster; 31% want him waived and 15% prefer a trade.
- Through two preseason games he is 11-of-19 for 88 yards with no touchdowns, two interceptions and five sacks.
- Drew Lock looked sharp (12-for-14) in Tennessee while Milroe threw two picks under pressure in a 19-16 loss.
- Milroe will start and play the full Seahawks-Chiefs preseason finale Friday, his last chance to sway coaches.
- Seattle owes him year two of a four-year, $6.2 million deal, so releasing him offers limited cap relief.
Why Are Seahawks Fans Split on Jalen Milroe?
Field Gulls reports an extremely tight poll. A slim majority still believes Milroe has organizational support and will survive final cuts. Nearly a third want the former third-round pick waived outright, while 15% think general manager John Schneider should trade him before rosters lock.
Those camps reflect more than one preseason stat line. Milroe entered the NFL as a boom-or-bust Alabama prospect praised for elite speed and rushing but questioned as a consistent decision-maker. After limited 2025 action—three games, four rushing yards and a fumble that made him an inactive emergency third-stringer the rest of the year—fans hoped Year 2 would show growth.
How Bad Has Milroe Looked This Preseason?
Seahawks Wire notes Milroe has led 11 drives across two losses and the offense has netted just 103 yards with zero points. His line: 11-of-19 passing, 88 yards, no touchdowns, two interceptions and five sacks, often against third-string defenders.
His athleticism has not compensated. He has only 52 rushing yards this preseason, including 36 in the opener against Dallas. One costly sack came on fourth down versus Tennessee. Tacoma News Tribune coverage highlighted how Lock guided a 16-3 lead over Tennessee's starting defense before Milroe's second-half turnovers helped the Titans rally to a 19-16 win.
What Is Milroe's Last Chance Before Roster Cuts?
Macdonald told reporters Milroe will start and remain under center for the entire Chiefs game, mirroring last year's extended look against Green Bay. Starters will sit again, but the full-game reps give Milroe rhythm managing situations Macdonald wants evaluated.
Field Gulls adds that keeping only Sam Darnold and Drew Lock would be risky, yet cutting Milroe might happen to add depth elsewhere—wideout Montorie Foster Jr. is the lone camp standout compelling enough to force a move. Milroe's spot is far from safe, and Friday should clarify whether he has any role in Seattle's championship window.
Does Drew Lock's Play Change the Math?
Behind Super Bowl champion Sam Darnold, veteran backup Drew Lock has looked like the steadier option. The News Tribune notes Macdonald, Schneider, offensive coordinator Brian Fleury and quarterbacks coach Jake Peetz must decide by season's end whether Milroe is dependable enough to let Lock walk when his contract expires.
If the answer is no, re-signing Lock becomes the obvious move—and Milroe's long-term outlook dims. For now, the hope among roster supporters is that Milroe makes the team, keeps developing without seeing regular-season snaps, and proves his fit by Year 3 of his rookie deal. For viewers tracking quarterback drama through our Streaming & TV Alerts hub, Friday's finale is the clearest window yet. Read the full survey breakdown at Field Gulls.