The NFL landscape is ever-evolving, with dynamic quarterbacks reshaping the game’s blueprint. At the forefront of this transformation is Washington Commanders’ quarterback Jayden Daniels, the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, whose electrifying play style has drawn comparisons to some of the league’s all-time greats. Daniels’ meteoric rise has revitalized the Commanders’ franchise and caught the eye of one of the NFL’s brightest offensive minds: Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay. As McVay looks to the 2025 NFL Draft, speculation is mounting that Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe could be the key to replicating Daniels’ magic in Los Angeles. Could Milroe become McVay’s version of the Commanders’ superstar?
Jayden Daniels: The Gold Standard for Dual-Threat Quarterbacks
At the NFL Honors in New Orleans, Jayden Daniels stood tall, clutching the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. The image of Daniels, radiating confidence, encapsulated a season that redefined expectations for rookie quarterbacks. In his debut campaign, Daniels didn’t just play—he dominated. His stat line tells part of the story: a completion percentage hovering around 68%, over 3,500 passing yards, and a knack for delivering in clutch moments. But numbers alone can’t capture the essence of Daniels’ game.
Words like “electric,” “explosive,” and “efficient” swirl around Daniels, yet none fully encapsulate his ability to bend games to his will. He’s a survivor, a quarterback who thrives under pressure, converting fourth downs with surgical precision and orchestrating game-winning drives with an almost casual flair. His Hail Mary walk-off against the New Orleans Saints and road victories over two division winners underscored his ability to make the miraculous look routine. Beyond the highlights, Daniels resurrected the careers of head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury while leading Washington to their first playoff win since the Joe Gibbs era.
Sean McVay, known for his keen eye for quarterback talent, didn’t mince words when discussing Daniels. At the NFL owners’ meeting in March 2025, McVay told ESPN’s John Keim, “The way he was playing the position, it sure looks sustainable. He has that swagger, that confidence, that enjoyment with competing … the smile, the ability to be totally immersed in the moment. That’s one of the things I loved about watching him. I don’t see that changing. … He’s going to be really scary for a long time.” McVay’s admiration is palpable, but with Daniels locked in as Washington’s cornerstone for the foreseeable future, the Rams’ head coach must look elsewhere to capture that same spark.
Enter Jalen Milroe: A Dual-Threat Dynamo
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, Jalen Milroe’s name is generating buzz, particularly in Los Angeles. The Alabama quarterback, known for his explosive athleticism and improving command of the pocket, recently met with the Rams, leaving a strong impression. “I just met with the Rams,” Milroe shared. “Great meeting with them. No matter what team it is, it is so important just to talk ball with them, get an understanding of how I view X’s and O’s and the process of it is big. The meeting went well. Every one of them, I leave out, and they leave out so impressed with me.”
Milroe’s confidence mirrors the swagger McVay so admires in Daniels, but it’s his on-field profile that makes him an intriguing fit for the Rams. At Alabama, Milroe showcased a rare blend of arm talent and elite rushing ability, drawing comparisons to dual-threat quarterbacks like Daniels. In 2024, Milroe threw for over 2,800 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding nearly 700 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground. His ability to extend plays with his legs while delivering precise throws under pressure aligns with the modern NFL’s demand for versatile quarterbacks.
For McVay, Milroe represents an opportunity to mold a raw but tantalizing talent into a franchise cornerstone. The Rams have dabbled with dual-threat quarterbacks in the past, most notably with Bryce Perkins, but Milroe’s ceiling appears significantly higher. If he’s available in the third round, as some draft analysts project, the Rams could view him as a high-upside developmental prospect worth betting on.
Sean McVay’s Vision: Building Around a Dual-Threat Star
McVay’s offensive philosophy thrives on creativity, misdirection, and exploiting mismatches—qualities that a quarterback like Milroe could amplify. The Rams’ current quarterback situation, led by the steady but aging Matthew Stafford, underscores the need for a long-term plan. Stafford, a Super Bowl champion under McVay, remains a reliable conductor of the offense, but at 37 years old, his window is narrowing. Drafting Milroe would allow McVay to groom a successor while leveraging Stafford’s experience to mentor the young quarterback.
McVay’s comments about Daniels provide a roadmap for how he might utilize Milroe. Daniels’ ability to “be totally immersed in the moment” and compete with infectious joy resonates with Milroe’s own demeanor. In college, Milroe displayed a knack for rising to the occasion, whether scrambling for a game-changing first down or delivering a deep ball in a high-stakes moment. Pairing Milroe’s athletic gifts with McVay’s schematic brilliance could unlock a new dimension for the Rams’ offense.
Moreover, the Rams’ roster is well-suited to support a young quarterback. Running back Kyren Williams provides a reliable ground game, while receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua offer elite targets capable of turning short passes into explosive gains. With a strong offensive line anchored by players like Steve Avila, Milroe would have the protection needed to develop his pocket presence while utilizing his legs to keep defenses honest.
Challenges and Considerations
While the parallels between Daniels and Milroe are enticing, there are hurdles to consider. Milroe’s collegiate performance, while impressive, revealed areas for growth, particularly in reading complex defenses and maintaining consistency in the pocket. Daniels, by contrast, entered the NFL with a polished feel for the game, honed during his Heisman-winning season at LSU. Milroe’s development will require patience, a luxury McVay may need to balance with the Rams’ immediate competitive aspirations.
Additionally, the Rams’ draft position could complicate their pursuit of Milroe. If he rises up draft boards—as dual-threat quarterbacks often do in a quarterback-hungry league—Los Angeles may need to trade up to secure him. In the unlikely event Milroe slips to the third round, the Rams could capitalize on a high-value pick, but they’d face competition from other teams seeking a similar skill set.
The Bigger Picture: A New Era for the Rams?
The NFL is shifting toward quarterbacks who can threaten defenses with both their arms and legs, and Jayden Daniels is the poster child for this evolution. Sean McVay, ever the innovator, appears poised to adapt to this trend by targeting a player like Jalen Milroe. While Milroe may not immediately replicate Daniels’ rookie-year heroics, his potential to grow into a dynamic playmaker under McVay’s guidance is undeniable.
As the 2025 NFL Draft nears, all eyes will be on the Rams’ strategy. Will McVay take a bold swing on Milroe, envisioning him as the heir to Daniels’ dual-threat throne? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the prospect of Milroe in a Rams uniform has Los Angeles buzzing with excitement.
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