You know considering the lack of awesome guys coming out next year, at this time, could it be why JS went Milroe with his extra pick this year? Could they see Milroe potential, and definitely his smarts, as equal to better than anyone but Arch? Not unlike JS to zig when others zag. A season in the NFL with NFL coaches vs waiting “until next year” mentality. We all thought 2026 to be great QB draft. Maybe it doesn’t turn out that way. And when 6 plus teams go QB, JS gets the pick he really wants.
Even if he has a great season, should Arch Manning declare for the draft? Has any QB ever only started one season of college football and then been drafted #1? The guy he's replacing just went in the 7th round, too. It's not like he was waiting for his opportunity behind Stafford or Luck or some consensus first rounder.
Wouldn't he be better off getting more game experience under center at Texas for another year instead of being picked by the Browns/Jets/whoever and being forced to start right away against NFL defenses?
I know a lot of football junkies are already into the 2026 draft, but it's way too early for me to pay it any attention. As Kenneth notes, we basically have no idea who from this group will emerge by the end of the 2025 season, and they don't start playing games for over a month. I'll sit tight and wait.
I was reading the other day about how far ahead the Seahawks defense is of the offense. Makes sense. Very little turnover and same scheme, where the offense is new scheme and new players. But one thing I hadn't thought about enough is how much better this defense will eventually make the offense. There are no easy plays. Everything will need to be earned. If the offense can eventually get wins on the defense once the pads go on, that should bode well for the season.
We could see one of the more physical training camps we've seen in a while. If the offense is going to play big-boy ball, pound a FB in there, and get guys on the ground, it's going to be crazy to watch. Hopefully we don't beat ourselves into a pulp before we get to start smashing on other teams. I don't want to read "Robbie Ouzts injured another player today." during training camp. I'm ok reading that after a real game.
I voted for some interest "3" in the 26 draft. But not for QB. I've got a few OLine prospects to watch, and a few DL/Edge's too. 2026 should be about rounding out the team and finding a few plugins to take this team from good to great. Hopefully not panicking to fix a busted qb room.
I’m with you, no QB in round 1 unless Darnold does poorly and Milroe is ruled out as someone who could grow into a top 12 QB. It Lucas is not re-signed, we will need to consider OT in round 1, if Woolen is not re-signed, CB might also be a round one need. Then there is also a need for edge.
I think in any scenario where the Seahawks are drafting after R1:18 next year, a QB shouldn't be a Day 1 (and possibly even Day 2) consideration unless it is a very clear BPA situation.
I just watched the John Mateer video...caught one part where the announcer says something about him squatting 600lbs...so I looked it up, it seems legit. He can in fact squat 600lbs.
It is a quiet point in the NFL season. SJ, you're flexing a bit by showing off your predictive chops with this post, which is, as always, worth reading (even for me, who knows less about college ball than the NFL, about which I know nothing really worth knowing.)
Milroe is an interesting case. QB rating of 172 in 2022, dropped to 148 in 2023 but anything over a 165 within a major program usually means NFL ready. I think Milroe gets better and keeps grinding. He seems so mature and grounded. I hope JM develops fast, no offense to SD and co., I just really want a super mobile QB it's such an advantage especially with a line that is a bit suspect.
Now for QB's still in college. I haven't watched much if any film on most of these prospects, but a few pop on the stat lists I look at. John Mateer the only one near the cutoff at 164. We shall see what the season holds. But I wish the Cougs players would stay put, prolly not paying as well as other companies - I mean Colleges.
I mentioned this the other day in my comment. I really don't think Darnold is on a "prove it" deal, or if so, it's not a "prove you can keep performing a the same level" deal, and more of a "prove you can take us deep into the playoffs" deal.
Look at Geno's 2023 contract incentives vs Darnold's 2025 contract incentives:
Geno in 2023 -
-Annual Roster Bonus Escalator based on exceeding 2022 stats, $2M each for
--Passing Yards (4,282)
--Passing Touchdowns (30)
--Completion % (69.8)
--Passer Rating (100.9)
--Wins (9) or a Playoff Berth
--Additional $5M escalator if all 5 categories are exceeded in a season
Geno was offered up to $15m extra per year if he could prove he could continue performing at his 2022 level.
Darnold in 2025 -
-Annual Performance Incentives (cumulative)
--100 Passer Rating: $500,000
--28 TD Passes: $500,000
--4,000 Passing Yards: $500,000
--67.5% Completion: $500,000
-Annual Playing Time Incentive
--70% Snaps + team is Top 10 in Net Offensive Yards: $500,000
-Annual Playoff Incentives (non-cumulative) (Requires 70% Regular Season Snaps)
--Playoff Berth: $500,000
--Divisional Win: $1M
--Conf. Champ Win: $1.5M
--Super Bowl Win: $2.5M
Darnold, on the other hand, is only set to earn an additional $2.5m for meeting his performance incentives, and only $3m to get the team to the place that they offered Geno $15m extra for. To me, that's not really "prove it" money. The Seahawks expect him to meet those escalators. Where his pay really escalates into "prove it" money is by taking the team deep into the playoffs.
Now, granted, its not Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, Dak Prescott, or Brock Purdy level of comfort, so we have to account for that, but it does indicate a level of comfort with what Darnold will offer the team.
Personally, I'm far more inclined to be happy with Darnold leading the team on this contract because it tells me the Seahawks believe in him and his ability to continue performing at his 2024 level.
Could it also be that Darnold had more negotiating leverage given several open jobs and his Minnesota excellent year -- whereas Geno still needed to prove himself?
Summer scouting, as the NFLSE guys said a couple times on that show, is about making projections based on last season’s film. It’s a midterm. Their draft evals are based on the body of work on film at the end of this coming season. That’s the final exam.
I think we're going the Green Bay Way, instead of Rogers we have Sam who I think/hope is going to surprise a lot of us play for 2 years... Then it's going to be Milroes time to shine. Therefore we don't worry about drafting a QB in the first next year.
My take, as an armchair QB with a stunning 1.3% record of being right and with a 4.5% accuracy rate of being ALMOST right, I predict NO QB picks for the Seahawk's in 2026. Milroe was a steal. His accuracy will improve with good coaching and mentorship but you can't teach, or match in the 2026 draft, his natural instincts and speed as a runner. Milroe is a hard worker and REALLY smart. When his opportunity comes he's gonna drive defenses nuts.With an improved O-line and OC, Darnold is gonna kick ass THIS year.
Best situation possible is to be settled enough at QB to be able to take a young hotshot and sit him for a year or even two years. I’m hoping by the end of the season they know whether to roll the dice on Milroe or spend another pick on a QB.
Yes, fingers crossed either Darnold balls out again or Darnold Balls out again and Milroe plays enough to show real potential. We draft an all pro with our 1st round pick.
It’s way too early for me to focus on the 26 draft. I will stay focused on our pro game until after our Super Bowl win ;) But off the cuff, Lock is a top 10 backup QB and he’s on the team for 25 AND 26. Our starting QB (Darnold) is under contract through 27. If he looks as good as he was in 24 with the Vikings, I would be emphatically against taking a college QB on day 1 or day 2 of the draft in 26. I’d be fine on day 3. If Darnold’s performance is significantly worse than his 24 season, I’d be more inclined to take a QB in day 1 or 2 to compete with Milroe as our QB of the future.
This being said, I loved the analysis of what’s currently available at QB in the college ranks. I’s my hope that our QB situation will look good after this season with what we have and our first round pick could be used to add a difference maker at EDGE, CB, or OT if we don’t extend Cross and Lucas.
You know considering the lack of awesome guys coming out next year, at this time, could it be why JS went Milroe with his extra pick this year? Could they see Milroe potential, and definitely his smarts, as equal to better than anyone but Arch? Not unlike JS to zig when others zag. A season in the NFL with NFL coaches vs waiting “until next year” mentality. We all thought 2026 to be great QB draft. Maybe it doesn’t turn out that way. And when 6 plus teams go QB, JS gets the pick he really wants.
Even if he has a great season, should Arch Manning declare for the draft? Has any QB ever only started one season of college football and then been drafted #1? The guy he's replacing just went in the 7th round, too. It's not like he was waiting for his opportunity behind Stafford or Luck or some consensus first rounder.
Wouldn't he be better off getting more game experience under center at Texas for another year instead of being picked by the Browns/Jets/whoever and being forced to start right away against NFL defenses?
Todd McShay on Mateer:
PLUS:
“* Undersized playmaker with undeniable suddenness and speed
* Snap release with energy on the ball no matter the arm angle or body contortion on delivery
* Competitive fire and toughness
* Routinely executed the most challenging of throws
* Clutch”
MINUS
“* Footwork can be an unmitigated mess
* Erratic ball placement is a direct reflection
* Impatient in the pocket
* Frenzied style of play leads to poor decisions”
OVERALL: Day 2 prospect with the potential to raise his game and draft projection
I know a lot of football junkies are already into the 2026 draft, but it's way too early for me to pay it any attention. As Kenneth notes, we basically have no idea who from this group will emerge by the end of the 2025 season, and they don't start playing games for over a month. I'll sit tight and wait.
I was reading the other day about how far ahead the Seahawks defense is of the offense. Makes sense. Very little turnover and same scheme, where the offense is new scheme and new players. But one thing I hadn't thought about enough is how much better this defense will eventually make the offense. There are no easy plays. Everything will need to be earned. If the offense can eventually get wins on the defense once the pads go on, that should bode well for the season.
We could see one of the more physical training camps we've seen in a while. If the offense is going to play big-boy ball, pound a FB in there, and get guys on the ground, it's going to be crazy to watch. Hopefully we don't beat ourselves into a pulp before we get to start smashing on other teams. I don't want to read "Robbie Ouzts injured another player today." during training camp. I'm ok reading that after a real game.
I voted for some interest "3" in the 26 draft. But not for QB. I've got a few OLine prospects to watch, and a few DL/Edge's too. 2026 should be about rounding out the team and finding a few plugins to take this team from good to great. Hopefully not panicking to fix a busted qb room.
I’m with you, no QB in round 1 unless Darnold does poorly and Milroe is ruled out as someone who could grow into a top 12 QB. It Lucas is not re-signed, we will need to consider OT in round 1, if Woolen is not re-signed, CB might also be a round one need. Then there is also a need for edge.
Stack the trenches!
I think in any scenario where the Seahawks are drafting after R1:18 next year, a QB shouldn't be a Day 1 (and possibly even Day 2) consideration unless it is a very clear BPA situation.
I just watched the John Mateer video...caught one part where the announcer says something about him squatting 600lbs...so I looked it up, it seems legit. He can in fact squat 600lbs.
That's legit, and rare for a QB. A 600 lb squat is no joke.
It is a quiet point in the NFL season. SJ, you're flexing a bit by showing off your predictive chops with this post, which is, as always, worth reading (even for me, who knows less about college ball than the NFL, about which I know nothing really worth knowing.)
Per https://www.sisdatahub.com/leaderboards/QB Darnold ranks 8th and Drew Lock 39th in the NFL. I think were in good hands for the near term.
Milroe is an interesting case. QB rating of 172 in 2022, dropped to 148 in 2023 but anything over a 165 within a major program usually means NFL ready. I think Milroe gets better and keeps grinding. He seems so mature and grounded. I hope JM develops fast, no offense to SD and co., I just really want a super mobile QB it's such an advantage especially with a line that is a bit suspect.
Now for QB's still in college. I haven't watched much if any film on most of these prospects, but a few pop on the stat lists I look at. John Mateer the only one near the cutoff at 164. We shall see what the season holds. But I wish the Cougs players would stay put, prolly not paying as well as other companies - I mean Colleges.
I mentioned this the other day in my comment. I really don't think Darnold is on a "prove it" deal, or if so, it's not a "prove you can keep performing a the same level" deal, and more of a "prove you can take us deep into the playoffs" deal.
Look at Geno's 2023 contract incentives vs Darnold's 2025 contract incentives:
Geno in 2023 -
-Annual Roster Bonus Escalator based on exceeding 2022 stats, $2M each for
--Passing Yards (4,282)
--Passing Touchdowns (30)
--Completion % (69.8)
--Passer Rating (100.9)
--Wins (9) or a Playoff Berth
--Additional $5M escalator if all 5 categories are exceeded in a season
Geno was offered up to $15m extra per year if he could prove he could continue performing at his 2022 level.
Darnold in 2025 -
-Annual Performance Incentives (cumulative)
--100 Passer Rating: $500,000
--28 TD Passes: $500,000
--4,000 Passing Yards: $500,000
--67.5% Completion: $500,000
-Annual Playing Time Incentive
--70% Snaps + team is Top 10 in Net Offensive Yards: $500,000
-Annual Playoff Incentives (non-cumulative) (Requires 70% Regular Season Snaps)
--Playoff Berth: $500,000
--Divisional Win: $1M
--Conf. Champ Win: $1.5M
--Super Bowl Win: $2.5M
Darnold, on the other hand, is only set to earn an additional $2.5m for meeting his performance incentives, and only $3m to get the team to the place that they offered Geno $15m extra for. To me, that's not really "prove it" money. The Seahawks expect him to meet those escalators. Where his pay really escalates into "prove it" money is by taking the team deep into the playoffs.
Now, granted, its not Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, Dak Prescott, or Brock Purdy level of comfort, so we have to account for that, but it does indicate a level of comfort with what Darnold will offer the team.
Personally, I'm far more inclined to be happy with Darnold leading the team on this contract because it tells me the Seahawks believe in him and his ability to continue performing at his 2024 level.
Could it also be that Darnold had more negotiating leverage given several open jobs and his Minnesota excellent year -- whereas Geno still needed to prove himself?
Summer scouting, as the NFLSE guys said a couple times on that show, is about making projections based on last season’s film. It’s a midterm. Their draft evals are based on the body of work on film at the end of this coming season. That’s the final exam.
I think we're going the Green Bay Way, instead of Rogers we have Sam who I think/hope is going to surprise a lot of us play for 2 years... Then it's going to be Milroes time to shine. Therefore we don't worry about drafting a QB in the first next year.
Who really cares at this time?
My take, as an armchair QB with a stunning 1.3% record of being right and with a 4.5% accuracy rate of being ALMOST right, I predict NO QB picks for the Seahawk's in 2026. Milroe was a steal. His accuracy will improve with good coaching and mentorship but you can't teach, or match in the 2026 draft, his natural instincts and speed as a runner. Milroe is a hard worker and REALLY smart. When his opportunity comes he's gonna drive defenses nuts.With an improved O-line and OC, Darnold is gonna kick ass THIS year.
Best situation possible is to be settled enough at QB to be able to take a young hotshot and sit him for a year or even two years. I’m hoping by the end of the season they know whether to roll the dice on Milroe or spend another pick on a QB.
Yes, fingers crossed either Darnold balls out again or Darnold Balls out again and Milroe plays enough to show real potential. We draft an all pro with our 1st round pick.
It’s way too early for me to focus on the 26 draft. I will stay focused on our pro game until after our Super Bowl win ;) But off the cuff, Lock is a top 10 backup QB and he’s on the team for 25 AND 26. Our starting QB (Darnold) is under contract through 27. If he looks as good as he was in 24 with the Vikings, I would be emphatically against taking a college QB on day 1 or day 2 of the draft in 26. I’d be fine on day 3. If Darnold’s performance is significantly worse than his 24 season, I’d be more inclined to take a QB in day 1 or 2 to compete with Milroe as our QB of the future.
This being said, I loved the analysis of what’s currently available at QB in the college ranks. I’s my hope that our QB situation will look good after this season with what we have and our first round pick could be used to add a difference maker at EDGE, CB, or OT if we don’t extend Cross and Lucas.