Jalen Milroe talks about being benched last season: ‘I wouldn’t change it, it needed to happen’

The Alabama Crimson Tide had a rocky start to the 2023 season when starting quarterback Jalen Milroe was benched after struggling in the Week 2 game against Texas.

Milroe did not take the field the following week against South Florida, leading to one of the ugliest offensive performances in Alabama’s history under Nick Saban. He was reinstalled as the starter the week after, ultimately leading the team to an undefeated record in the SEC, securing another conference title, and a College Football Playoff appearance.

In an interview with The Next Round, Milroe said he would not change the way things played out last year:

"I honestly wouldn't change what happened…it needed to happen." – Alabama QB Jalen Milroe on the challenge of losing the starting job before the Crimson Tide's trip to South Florida last season.@JalenMilroe @TheLanceTaylor @DrBhrettMcCabe @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/89UGgM4fQf

— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) August 7, 2024

“I learned a lot about myself, I learned what it takes to be mentally strong,” Milroe said about sitting on the bench for the South Florida game. “It helped me understand who you need to have in your circle on your journey to uplift you…I knew that wasn’t the end of my goals and my journey, I believed it was just an obstacle I had to face so that it could teach me about being mentally strong and strong as a person. I honestly wouldn’t change what happened. I feel as though it needed to happen.”

RELATED: Jalen Milroe shares biggest lesson learned from Saban: ‘Trust the process’

Ultimately, Milroe’s benching brought the team together in a way that did not seem possible early in the year. Now, the hope is that Milroe enters this new era of Tide football with renewed belief in himself and his ability to be the best quarterback he can be.