As Alabama gets set to take on Michigan in the Rose Bowl on Monday, Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien caught a stray from Crimson Tide QB Jalen Milroe.

“Shoot, my own offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien said I shouldn’t play quarterback,” Milroe told reporters in Los Angeles on Thursday before the opening round of the College Football Playoff. “He told me a bunch of positions I could have switched to but look where I’m at right now. So who gets the last laugh?”

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O’Brien coached Milroe as Alabama’s offensive coordinator in 2021 and 2022 before taking the same job with the Patriots this offseason.

Milroe was asked about his reaction.

“How would you feel if I told you you suck? That’s exactly how I felt,” Milroe said. “The biggest thing for me is to be true to myself and stay the same. Nothing changed about me. Only thing that changed about me was I had opportunity and I seized it. For me, the biggest thing was just stay true to myself and add a bigger purpose to anyone’s opinion.”

Milroe led Alabama to an 11-1 record this season and earned second-team All-SEC honors.

The 21-year-old finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting after completing 65.5% of his passes for 2,718 yards with 23 touchdowns and six interceptions while rushing for 12 scores.