“It’s concerning,” Todd McShay remarked of Jalen Milroe at Senior Bowl.

“It’s Concerning,” Todd McShay Remarked of Jalen Milroe at Senior Bowl

As the college football season reaches its climax and the focus shifts toward the NFL Draft, a multitude of top prospects flock to Mobile, Alabama, for the Senior Bowl, one of the premier all-star games in the sport. The Senior Bowl serves as a vital showcase for NFL teams looking to evaluate and scout talent ahead of the draft. For Jalen Milroe, the quarterback from Alabama, the Senior Bowl provided an opportunity to prove his worth as one of the top quarterbacks eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft.

However, while many analysts were intrigued by Milroe’s raw athleticism and potential, his performance at the Senior Bowl did not come without its share of critiques. Perhaps the most striking commentary came from Todd McShay, one of the foremost NFL draft analysts, who expressed his concerns about Milroe’s readiness for the next level. McShay’s remarks—”It’s concerning”—pointed to several areas of Milroe’s game that raised red flags for scouts and evaluators watching from the sidelines.

In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the factors that led Todd McShay to voice concerns about Milroe’s future as an NFL quarterback. We’ll examine the specific elements of Milroe’s performance that drew criticism, the challenges he faces in his transition to the next level, and what he must do to overcome these concerns in order to succeed as a professional. Through this, we’ll get a clearer picture of why Milroe’s Senior Bowl week raised questions, despite his undeniable athletic talent.

The Promise and Potential of Jalen Milroe

Before diving into the specific criticisms raised by Todd McShay, it’s essential to understand the context of Milroe’s rise as a top quarterback prospect. Milroe is a physically gifted quarterback who possesses the tools that NFL teams covet in a modern signal-caller: elite athleticism, a powerful arm, and the ability to make plays both in and outside the pocket.

At Alabama, Milroe’s dynamic dual-threat abilities stood out as one of the key features of his game. He was able to make explosive plays with both his arm and legs, regularly showing off his powerful arm on deep throws and his quickness and elusiveness as a runner. Milroe’s athleticism is perhaps best exemplified by his ability to make defenders miss in the open field, and his speed and agility make him a legitimate dual-threat weapon. In college, this unique skill set allowed him to thrive in Alabama’s system, but as he now prepares for the NFL, the question becomes: Can he transition these tools into a complete, refined game that translates to professional success?

The physical attributes that make Milroe an intriguing prospect are undeniable. He has a strong arm, capable of making all the throws that NFL teams expect from their quarterbacks. His mobility is a major asset, as he can escape the pocket and make plays on the run, a crucial trait in today’s pass-heavy NFL. Additionally, Milroe has the raw potential to develop into a top-tier quarterback, with the kind of ceiling that makes him an exciting prospect for teams looking for their next franchise leader.

However, this promise is tempered by several concerns that surfaced during his Senior Bowl practices, which caught the attention of evaluators like Todd McShay.

Todd McShay’s Concerns: Inconsistency and Decision-Making

McShay, a respected voice in NFL draft analysis, has a reputation for offering candid assessments of prospects. When it comes to Jalen Milroe, McShay’s remarks at the Senior Bowl were unambiguous: “It’s concerning.” The concern stemmed from Milroe’s inconsistency as a quarterback, particularly in terms of his decision-making, accuracy, and ability to perform under pressure. While his physical skills were evident, these mental and technical aspects of his game left McShay with significant reservations about Milroe’s readiness for the NFL.

1. Inaccuracy on Short and Intermediate Throws

One of the primary concerns McShay raised regarding Milroe was his inconsistency with accuracy, particularly on short and intermediate routes. Throughout the Senior Bowl practices, Milroe’s deep ball was a strength, as he consistently demonstrated the ability to throw with velocity and precision on longer passes. However, when it came to shorter throws—whether quick outs, slants, or screens—Milroe struggled with ball placement. These inaccuracies were not just occasional, but frequent, with Milroe missing the mark on several straightforward throws that are crucial in a timing-based NFL offense.

In the NFL, accuracy on short to intermediate throws is often the differentiator between success and failure. Quarterbacks must be able to make quick, accurate decisions in the pocket, especially when timing is essential. Milroe’s tendency to overthrow or miss his target on such passes raised concerns about his ability to execute at the professional level, where these types of throws are commonplace.

2. Hesitation Under Pressure

Another area where McShay expressed concern was Milroe’s tendency to hesitate when faced with pressure. While Milroe’s athleticism allows him to escape the pocket and make plays with his legs, there were several instances during Senior Bowl practices where he seemed indecisive in the face of a collapsing pocket. Instead of quickly processing the defense and releasing the ball, Milroe appeared to rely too heavily on his athleticism to extend the play.

This tendency to hesitate can be problematic at the NFL level, where defensive linemen and linebackers are faster and more powerful than in college. In the Senior Bowl, Milroe’s hesitation allowed defenders to close in on him, leading to sacks or hurried throws. NFL teams need quarterbacks who can quickly diagnose the defense, make quick decisions, and execute under pressure. Milroe’s struggles in this area highlighted his need for further development in terms of reading defenses and processing information in real-time.

3. Slow Release and Timing Issues

Another key critique from McShay was Milroe’s release speed and timing. Milroe’s throwing mechanics are still a work in progress. While his arm strength is impressive, his release at times seemed a bit slower than what is ideal for an NFL quarterback. A slow release can lead to tipped passes, forced throws, and timing issues with wide receivers. Additionally, Milroe sometimes seemed late with his decisions, which could be attributed to both his mechanical inconsistencies and his hesitation when reading the defense.

NFL quarterbacks must have quick release times, especially when faced with tight windows and aggressive pass rushes. Slow releases and timing issues can make even the most talented quarterbacks vulnerable to turnovers and mistakes. Milroe will need to fine-tune his mechanics and develop quicker decision-making in order to address these concerns and compete at the next level.

4. Limited Mental Processing

McShay’s comments about Milroe’s mental processing were also telling. While Milroe demonstrated impressive physical tools, he struggled to consistently read defenses and react quickly in practice. His ability to adjust to different defensive schemes and make split-second decisions will be key to his success in the NFL. During the Senior Bowl, there were instances where Milroe failed to recognize open receivers, holding onto the ball longer than necessary. This lack of quick mental processing and decision-making is a major red flag for scouts.

In contrast, elite NFL quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow excel in processing defenses and quickly making accurate decisions under pressure. Milroe will need to develop these mental skills in order to be a successful starting quarterback at the next level. His raw athleticism may carry him through some moments, but to truly thrive in the NFL, he will need to show significant growth in his ability to read the game and make decisions under duress.

What Milroe Needs to Improve

While McShay’s concerns about Milroe are valid, they are not insurmountable. There is still plenty of time for Milroe to refine his game, and several elements of his skill set suggest that he has the potential to improve.

1. Mechanics and Accuracy

Milroe must work on tightening up his mechanics, particularly with his throwing motion and footwork. Improving his mechanics will not only increase his accuracy, but it will also help with his release speed, giving him more time to make decisions under pressure. Developing better consistency with his throws, especially on short and intermediate routes, will be crucial to his success in the NFL.

2. Reading Defenses

Milroe also needs to develop a quicker, more accurate mental processing speed. This means improving his ability to read defenses, recognize coverages, and make decisions quickly. Working with experienced coaches and NFL quarterbacks could help Milroe accelerate this aspect of his game.

3. Confidence in the Pocket

Finally, Milroe must develop greater confidence in the pocket. While he has the ability to escape pressure with his legs, relying too much on his athleticism can lead to missed opportunities. Milroe must trust his offensive line, recognize when to hold the ball and when to release it, and work on his timing with receivers.