The Alabama Crimson Tide face a pivotal moment in their offensive evolution following the departure of quarterback Jalen Milroe to the NFL Draft, where he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks. 

With Milroe’s dynamic dual-threat presence no longer anchoring the team, head coach Kalen DeBoer and newly appointed offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb are tasked with reshaping the quarterback position to fit their sophisticated offensive system. 

Grubb, who reunited with DeBoer after a stint as the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator, brings a clear vision for what makes a successful quarterback, while DeBoer navigates the challenge of replacing Milroe’s unique skill set with a talented but less experienced group of contenders.

Grubb, who previously worked with DeBoer at Washington, Fresno State, Eastern Michigan, and Sioux Falls, has outlined specific qualities he deems essential for Alabama’s starting quarterback. 

Speaking after Alabama’s A-Day spring game in April 2025, Grubb emphasized the importance of elite decision-making, consistency, and leadership. “The Alabama offensive coordinator believes the starter under center needs to be an elite decision maker, consistent, a leader and more,” according to Grubb himself. 

Grubb’s experience coaching quarterbacks like Michael Penix Jr. at Washington, where he helped lead the Huskies to the 2023 CFP championship game, informs his high standards. He reiterated that redshirt junior Ty Simpson would be the starter if the season began immediately after spring practice, a stance he confirmed to Tide 100.9 in June 2025. 

However, Grubb stressed that the quarterback must excel in processing information quickly and commanding the offense, regardless of who ultimately earns the role.

Grubb’s philosophy centers on a quarterback’s ability to execute a fast-paced, precision-based passing game. His system, honed during his time with DeBoer at Washington, prioritizes quick ball distribution to exploit defensive weaknesses, often through screen passes, curls, and shallow crosses. 

This approach contrasts with the 2023 Alabama offense under Tommy Rees, which leaned on Milroe’s big-play tendencies but struggled with consistency due to poor pass protection and Milroe’s occasional delays in releasing the ball. Grubb’s non-negotiable traits—decision-making, consistency, and leadership—aim to ensure the quarterback can navigate Alabama’s complex offensive schemes while maintaining poise under pressure.

Milroe’s departure leaves a void in Alabama’s quarterback room, as his athleticism and running ability were central to the 2024 offense, despite its inconsistencies. Milroe, who threw for 2,844 yards and 16 touchdowns in his final season, was a unique talent. “Jalen was certainly different, and I mean that in a positive way,” DeBoer said at the SEC spring meetings in May 2025. 

“He’s got some special elements to his game when it comes to running that, really, I have never been able to coach and very few have seen.” However, Milroe’s struggles with pocket rhythm and anticipation, particularly evident in his three-turnover performance in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan, highlighted areas where he didn’t fully align with DeBoer's system.

Now, DeBoer and Grubb must pivot to a quarterback room featuring Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and true freshman Keelon Russell, none of whom replicate Milroe’s dual-threat profile. “In the quarterback room, as DeBoer, newly-hired offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan work to secure Milroe’s replacement, it’s not a room of dual-threat options,” wrote Colin Gay of the Tuscaloosa News. 

“It’s not that Ty Simpson, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell are not athletes. It’s not that they can’t run the ball.” Instead, these quarterbacks bring a different skill set, leaning more toward pocket presence and passing accuracy, which aligns with Grubb’s vision of a quick, efficient passing attack.

Despite the lack of a direct Milroe replacement, the Alabama quarterback room is brimming with potential. CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah called it “the envy of the nation,” noting the depth of talent with Simpson, a former five-star recruit; Mack, who followed DeBoer from Washington; and Russell, the No. 2 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class per 247Sports. 

Grubb has already singled out Russell for his “unflappable” demeanor and vision, drawing comparisons to Michael Penix Jr. “He’s done an awesome job of just staying the course and being very steady,” Grubb said after Alabama’s second spring practice in March 2025. Simpson, meanwhile, has shown the most significant improvement in processing speed, while Mack demonstrates strong command for a young player.

DeBoer has emphasized adapting the offense to the strengths of these quarterbacks, a departure from the Milroe-centric approach that relied heavily on his mobility. “We do have probably three guys that are more alike than different,” DeBoer noted, indicating a shift toward a more balanced, pass-heavy system. 

This adjustment aligns with Grubb’s expertise in crafting offenses that maximize quick reads and short-to-intermediate passes, as seen in Washington’s 2023 season, where Penix led the nation with 4,903 passing yards.

The transition to a new quarterback and offensive identity presents both challenges and opportunities. Milroe’s 2024 season, while productive, was marred by inconsistency, with baffling interceptions and struggles in losses like the 24-3 defeat to Oklahoma, where he threw three picks. 

Grubb’s system, which demands rapid decision-making and precise execution, aims to mitigate such issues but requires quarterbacks to adapt to a faster tempo. DeBoer and Grubb’s flexibility in tailoring the offense to their players’ strengths—evident in their willingness to adjust at Washington—suggests they can mold Simpson, Mack, or Russell into a successful starter.

Alabama’s 2024 season, which ended with a 9-4 record and a ReliaQuest Bowl loss, underscored the need for offensive evolution. Grubb’s return to college football, after a challenging NFL stint with the Seahawks, brings a proven play-caller to Tuscaloosa. 

His collaboration with DeBoer, built on nearly two decades of shared experience, provides stability as they navigate this critical transition. As Alabama prepares for its 2025 season opener against Florida State on August 30, the quarterback battle will remain a focal point, with Grubb’s non-negotiable traits guiding the selection process and shaping the Crimson Tide’s offensive future.