Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe revealed something Browns fans won't like -- he's a Baltimore Ravens fan.
You must have an active subscription to read this story.
Click Here to subscribe Now!
Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Some things learned from opening day at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL:
* Yes, Kevin Stefanski is making his first appearance at the event as coach of the Browns.
* Jalen Milroe is a Baltimore Ravens fan.
* Jalen Milroe has small hands -- the smallest among the seven quarterbacks measured at the Senior Bowl.
* The quarterback that sparked the most interest among NFL coaches and GMs when rosters were announced was Jaxson Dart of Mississippi.
* Not even Jim Nagy, executive director of the Senior Bowl whose job is to promote the event, would hype the Quarterback Class of 2025 in the same breath as the Class of 2024.
1. At his season-ending press conference, GM Andrew Berry didn’t deny something has to change in the way the Browns evaluate quarterbacks. The first evidence of change is the appearance of Kevin Stefanski at the Senior Bowl. Stefanski never attended the Senior Bowl in five previous years as Browns coach – three in which the Browns did not own a first-round pick. But he’s on the scouting trail now that the Browns are openly searching for a quarterback to take high in the 2025 draft. By the way, Stefanski also attended the Shrine Bowl over the weekend in Dallas, where Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders made himself available for team interviews but did not work out. Syracuse's Kyle McCord also is at the Shrine Bowl.
2. Jalen Milroe was a quarterback-of-interest for the Browns even before they promoted his former Alabama offensive coordinator, Tommy Rees, to the same position. At the Senior Bowl, Milroe’s 15 minutes at the podium were controlled by Northeast Ohio media who trekked down to Mobile. Milroe inadvertently dropped a bombshell when he was asked about comparisons to Lamar Jackson’s game. “That’s inspiring, for sure, as a young quarterback aspiring to go to the NFL,” Milroe said. “So that definitely puts a smile to my face. I definitely love watching Lamar. Secretly, I’m actually a Ravens fan. I grew up a Ravens fan. So, I pull for the Ravens.”
3. At 6-1 ½ and 220 pounds, Milroe is one of the draft’s more physically imposing quarterbacks and he will time gloriously in Combine drills. But he came in dead last in one measurement that NFL scouts don’t take lightly – hand size. Milroe’s right hand, measured from the tip of thumb to the tip of pinky, came in at 8 ¾ inches. That’s well below the 9 ½ in. threshold that is considered average. Thus commences a negative narrative that haunted Kenny Pickett (8 5/8 in.), Joe Burrow (9 in.), Jared Goff (9 in.) and others. “It does matter,” texted a former NFL team personnel executive. “Fumbles, struggles in cold/wet weather, etc. Guys like Josh Allen and [Pat] Mahomes can grab that ball like a vice grip wrapping their hand around it.”
4. Milroe’s past association with Rees totally eliminates any efforts of the Browns to conceal interest in him. Milroe had his best season at Alabama in 2023, his first as the Tide’s starter, with Rees serving as Nick Saban’s offensive coordinator. “No. 1, him playing the position, [and] No. 2 with him coaching, I’ve gained so much knowledge [and] respect,” Milroe said. “It was so fun, just from the start of the season till the end of the season, the growth and everything that comes about it. I have so much respect for Coach Rees, so much respect for him as a person as well. Just being able to build a relationship with [him during] my time in college. So I definitely appreciate the grind and all that was put in that season.”
5. Joining Milroe at the Senior Bowl are quarterbacks Taylor Elgersma of Laurier (Canada), Jaxson Dart of Mississippi, Tyler Shough (pronounced: shuck) of Louisville, Seth Henigan of Memphis, Riley Leonard of Notre Dame, and Dillon Gabriel of Oregon. Will Howard of Ohio State bowed out after leading the Buckeyes to the CFP championship. Jim Nagy, executive director of the Senior Bowl, said, “Jalen Milroe and Jaxson Dart are two guys that the league is really excited to see here. With Jaxson Dart, my phone probably pinged more when we announced him than any other quarterback, just because guys want to see him in a pro-style offense and throwing into tighter windows. I’ve said this a million times over the last few weeks but Lane [Kiffin, Ole Miss coach] does such a good job there that he’s throwing routes on air all the time and that’s not NFL football. I’ve even said something to Jaxson this week. ‘Get ready to throw into tighter windows.’”
6. Nagy echoed comments from numerous draft experts that this year’s quarterback class pales next to the 2024 class. “I don’t know if anyone in this class would be in the top six of the guys last year,” Nagy said. “I don’t know if any of these guys are Bo Nix or [Michael] Penix or JJ McCarthy. That was a unique class. I think we’re going to look back and in 15 years the Class of 2024 is one of the best classes ever.” Nagy, however, did not dismiss the possibility of Milroe improving his draft stock, starting with the Senior Bowl. “Sitting up here 4-5 years ago, Jalen Hurts was a fourth-, fifth-round pick for most teams going back to our calls in November. Jalen Milroe’s certainly higher than that on most teams’ boards right now, so at least he’s starting the process in a better place. And I hope none of you ask me if we’re playing Jalen Milroe at running back like you did with Jalen Hurts that one year. So Jalen’s got a really cool opportunity right now to help himself like Jalen Hurts did.”