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Jalen Milroe Predicted to Replace $100 Million Pro Bowl Quarterback

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated Dec 17, 2024 9:05 AM ET

For Alabama star Jalen Milroe, the 2024 season was a roller coaster. He gained significant momentum, both on the collegiate scene and as an NFL draft prospect, in the early weeks of the year, as the Crimson Tide sat at 4-0 following their thrilling win over Georgia, in which Milroe threw for 374 yards and rushed for 117 yards, scoring four touchdowns.

At that point, Milroe's stock had risen to the point that he was a consensus QB1 in the 2025 NFL draft.

But Milroe lost luster as he--and the Tide--showed warts in the weeks that followed, with accuracy and a penchant for interceptions ranking among the big problems. Milroe had only 15 touchdown passes on the year, and 10 interceptions.

As an athlete with the potential to polish his quarterback skills, though, Milroe remains well thought-of in the NFL draft community and could well still be worth a first-round pick on a long-term development plan, like what the Packers did with Jordan Love. As such, at A-to-Z Sports, the current version of the site's mock draft has Mirloe going in the Top 20.

And the team picking him is a surprise: The Buccaneers, who just gave Baker Mayfield a $100 million contract.

Writes the site: "The Bucs are in a relationship with Baker Mayfield but are far from married. They bet on the best pure athlete at the QB position in years to develop into a starter with this pick."

Indeed, there is some sense in Milroe to Tampa. Mayfield's three-year, $100 million contract is a relative bargain for the Buccaneers, and he is in the midst of another Pro Bowl-caliber season, with 3,617 yards and 32 touchdowns, plus 14 interceptions.

But Mayfield has only two years on his deal after this one, at $35.8 million and $45.8 million. It's conceivable that the Bucs could gamble on Milroe with the intention of letting him sit behind Mayfield for two years before getting his chance.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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