Alabama’s Jalen Milroe Officially Signs Four-Year, $6.2 Million Rookie Contract, Embarking on His NFL Quarterback Journey

Jalen Milroe’s NFL career is officially underway. The former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback signed his rookie contract today, inking a four-year deal worth $6.2 million. The signing marks the beginning of a new chapter for Milroe, whose journey from Texas high school standout to SEC star and now professional quarterback has been defined by perseverance, development, and explosive athleticism.

The $6.2 million contract is standard for a player taken where Milroe was in the 2025 NFL Draft. While not a first-round pick, Milroe was still considered one of the most intriguing quarterback prospects available, and his performance in pre-draft workouts, interviews, and on tape did plenty to solidify his standing among NFL evaluators. Now, with the deal signed and sealed, all eyes shift to what he’ll do next — this time on the professional stage.

Milroe’s road to this moment has not been easy or conventional. After arriving at Alabama in 2021 as a four-star recruit from Katy, Texas, he spent his early years in Tuscaloosa behind Bryce Young, the eventual No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Playing backup to a Heisman Trophy winner wasn’t easy, but Milroe remained patient, soaking in knowledge and improving his skill set. He got his first significant taste of action during the 2022 season when Young was briefly sidelined with a shoulder injury, and while the results were mixed, they offered a glimpse into Milroe’s tantalizing potential.

It wasn’t until the 2023 season that Milroe truly took the reins of the Alabama offense. And even then, his journey was marked by resilience. After starting the first two games of the season, he was benched in favor of two other quarterbacks — a decision that proved short-lived. Alabama head coach Nick Saban quickly reinstated Milroe as the starter, and from that point forward, he never looked back. Milroe went on to lead Alabama to a College Football Playoff appearance and an SEC title, becoming a fan favorite in the process and a vocal leader in the locker room.

Known for his elite athleticism, rocket arm, and straight-line speed, Milroe brought a different dynamic to the Alabama offense than his predecessors. While not as polished a passer as Bryce Young or Tua Tagovailoa before him, Milroe’s ability to make plays off-script and gash defenses with his legs made him one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in college football. His game-winning touchdown run in the Iron Bowl against Auburn will go down as one of the most memorable moments in recent Alabama history — a play that showed not only his raw talent, but his poise under pressure and competitive fire.

That same fire will now be tested in the NFL. Milroe enters a league that is as much about preparation, decision-making, and processing speed as it is about athletic ability. There’s no doubt he has the tools to succeed — size, arm strength, mobility — but like many young quarterbacks, Milroe will need time to adapt to the speed of the professional game, master a new playbook, and find consistency against elite defenders.

Still, scouts and analysts believe Milroe landed in a good situation, one where he can develop without being thrown into the fire immediately. Depending on his team’s quarterback room, he could spend the first year or two learning behind a veteran, refining his footwork, tightening his throwing mechanics, and improving his decision-making under pressure. His rookie contract offers both him and the franchise time and financial flexibility to focus on development, not desperation.

One of Milroe’s greatest assets may be something that doesn’t show up in box scores or scouting reports: his leadership. At Alabama, Milroe was praised for how he handled adversity. After being benched, he didn’t sulk or transfer, as so many players do in the modern era of college football. Instead, he stayed the course, won back the job, and led the Tide with passion and maturity. Teammates gravitated toward him. Coaches trusted him. And fans rallied behind him.

In the NFL, that kind of character matters. Coaches look for quarterbacks who can set the tone in the locker room, command respect, and bring calm to chaos. Milroe has shown those intangibles already. Combine that with his physical gifts, and it’s no surprise he became a serious NFL prospect.

During his final college season in 2024, Milroe took major strides as a passer. He improved his accuracy, cut down on turnovers, and showed more patience in the pocket. His touchdown-to-interception ratio was among the best in the SEC, and he delivered in big games. Whether it was against Georgia in the SEC Championship or Texas in the early-season rematch, Milroe performed like a quarterback who had taken the next step. That growth, both in stats and in situational awareness, helped reassure NFL decision-makers that Milroe’s game is still on an upward trajectory.

Off the field, Milroe has impressed just as much. Known for his work ethic and quiet confidence, he was a fixture in the film room and weight room at Alabama. He often stayed after practice to work with receivers or talk through plays with coaches. He understood the expectations that came with being the starting quarterback at Alabama — arguably the most high-profile job in college football — and he embraced the spotlight without letting it define him.

Milroe’s NFL rookie deal includes a standard signing bonus and team-friendly financial structure typical of mid-round quarterbacks. While it doesn’t compare to the mega-deals of franchise players, it does represent a life-changing opportunity and a foot in the door to chase something bigger: a starting job, long-term security, and ultimately, a legacy at the next level. Every quarterback starts somewhere, and Milroe’s first step now comes with millions of dollars and millions of new fans watching.

There’s also a sense that Milroe’s story resonates beyond Alabama fans. In an era when players transfer frequently, seek NIL deals, and often leave at the first sign of adversity, Milroe’s decision to stay, fight, and earn his spot became a rare example of loyalty and grit. His commitment to his team, his coach, and his personal growth helped redefine how people viewed him — not just as an athlete, but as a person. That impression carried over to NFL front offices, who often ask as many questions about character and mindset as they do about throwing velocity and foot speed.

Milroe now enters a league filled with quarterback talent — from established stars like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen to rising faces like C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson. It won’t be easy to carve out a role, especially in an NFL system that requires precision, timing, and football IQ. But if history is any indication, Milroe is up for the challenge.

He’s already proven he can improve, lead, and overcome. At Alabama, he silenced doubters and outlasted adversity. Now, with his rookie deal signed and a new chapter beginning, he’ll look to do it all over again — this time with even more at stake and the entire football world watching.

Whether he becomes a long-term NFL starter, a reliable backup, or something in between, Jalen Milroe’s story has already inspired those who followed his journey in Tuscaloosa. For Alabama fans, seeing him take the next step is both a point of pride and a reminder of what hard work and patience can produce. And for Milroe, it’s the continuation of a dream that started on high school fields in Texas, bloomed in Bryant-Denny Stadium, and now takes root on the NFL’s grandest stages.

His rookie contract may just be a piece of paper — four years, $6.2 million — but for Jalen Milroe, it represents something far greater: a chance. A chance to prove he belongs. A chance to lead again. A chance to chase greatness. And he’s ready to make the most of it.