The college football landscape is basically a game of musical chairs these days. You see a name like Jalen Milroe and your first instinct is to wonder where he's heading next. Is he hitting the portal? Did he already leave?
Honestly, the "Jalen Milroe transfer portal" rumors have been a whirlwind since Nick Saban decided to hang it up. People expected a mass exodus. They thought the dual-threat star from Katy, Texas, would be the first one out the door once Kalen DeBoer took the reigns in Tuscaloosa. But the reality of Milroe's situation is a lot more nuanced than just a simple "will he or won't he."
Milroe didn't transfer. He stayed. He finished.
He didn't just stick around to collect NIL checks either. He stayed to finish his degree and lead a transition that many experts predicted would be a disaster for the Crimson Tide. While the portal was humming with names like Kadyn Proctor (who left and then came back) and Isaiah Bond, Milroe became the steady hand.
The Transfer Portal Rumors vs. Reality
Let's be real: every time a big-name quarterback doesn't throw for 400 yards, the "transfer portal" whispers start. For Milroe, those whispers were deafening after the 2024 season. There was this narrative floating around—bolstered by some pretty blunt comments from anonymous NFL scouts—that Alabama's skill players would have actually left if Milroe stayed for the 2025 season.
An AFC coordinator famously told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero that Milroe’s "fastball" was inaccurate and that his style was frustrating for receivers. The claim was that the "skill players would've transferred if he came back."
📖 Related: Barry Sanders Shoes Nike: What Most People Get Wrong
That’s heavy.
But here’s what actually happened:
- Milroe declared for the NFL Draft on January 2, 2025.
- He chose the pros over another year of college, essentially bypassing the transfer portal entirely for his final year of eligibility.
- This move cleared the way for Ty Simpson to take over the starting role for the 2025 season.
It’s a weird paradox. By choosing the NFL, Milroe sort of "saved" Alabama from a potential portal crisis, even though he was the most popular player in the locker room. It allowed the DeBoer era to fully transition into a new offensive system without the friction of a returning veteran who didn't quite fit the "pure pocket passer" mold.
Why Jalen Milroe Didn't Hit the Portal After Saban Left
When Saban retired, the 30-day transfer window opened. It was chaos. Milroe was on CBS Mornings later that summer and explained his logic. He wasn't looking for a "better fit" or a bigger NIL bag. He was big on goals. Specifically, getting his degree in three years.
He achieved that in December 2023 and stayed to pursue a Master's. For a guy who was benched early in the 2023 season against USF, he had every reason to bolt. He didn't. He won the job back, beat Georgia in the SEC Championship, and became a Heisman finalist.
👉 See also: Arizona Cardinals Depth Chart: Why the Roster Flip is More Than Just Kyler Murray
Most people get this wrong: they think players only stay because they love the school. Sure, Milroe loves Bama. But he also knew that starting at Alabama is worth more for your NFL stock than starting at a random "good" school where you might have more "freedom" to run.
The Ty Simpson Factor
By the time the 2026 cycle rolled around, the focus shifted from Milroe to his successor. Ty Simpson recently made headlines by spurning massive NIL offers—reportedly as high as $6.5 million from Miami—to enter the 2026 NFL Draft.
The "Jalen Milroe transfer portal" story effectively ended when he was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft (92nd overall). He's currently sitting behind Sam Darnold in Seattle, developing as a "project" QB with elite 4.37 speed.
What Most People Get Wrong About Milroe’s Exit
There's a misconception that Milroe was "pushed out" to avoid a roster mutiny. That’s a bit dramatic. While it's true that some receivers were frustrated with his accuracy on short-to-intermediate routes—the "bouncing the ball off the turf" moments—the locker room genuinely respected him.
He was a two-time captain. You don't get that if the team wants you gone.
✨ Don't miss: Anthony Davis USC Running Back: Why the Notre Dame Killer Still Matters
The move to the NFL was a business decision. He had 33 rushing touchdowns and over 6,000 passing yards at Alabama. There wasn't much left for him to prove at the college level, and staying for a "super senior" year likely wouldn't have improved his draft stock if he couldn't fix the accuracy issues that scouts were already nitpicking.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're still tracking the Jalen Milroe transfer portal situation, you're looking at the past. The current focus should be on how his departure reshaped the SEC.
- Watch the Seahawks Preseason: Milroe is a "hold" in dynasty fantasy football leagues. He's not going to start in 2026 unless Darnold gets hurt, but the Seahawks are specifically trying to develop him as a long-term "Jordan Love" style project.
- Alabama’s New Identity: With Milroe gone, Alabama’s offense has shifted. They are more "pro-style" now under DeBoer, which is exactly why those skill players stayed.
- The NIL Market: The fact that Ty Simpson was offered $6.5 million to stay in college for 2026 shows just how much the "Jalen Milroe transfer portal" era changed the value of a starting QB at a blue-blood school.
Jalen Milroe's career at Alabama was a roller coaster. He went from being benched to being a hero, and finally to being a polarizing NFL prospect. He never chose the portal; he chose the Capstone, and then he chose the League.
Next Steps for Followers: Keep an eye on the Seattle Seahawks' 2026 roster moves. If they don't re-sign Drew Lock or another veteran backup, it’s a massive signal that the coaching staff believes Milroe has fixed his "fastball" and is ready to be the QB2—or more. For now, the transfer portal is a closed chapter in the Milroe saga.