Despite Alabama reportedly deciding its starting quarterback for the season opener on Friday, the offseason-long battle appears likely to extend beyond Week 1, based on recent comments from coach Nick Saban.
The Crimson Tide, after months of questions, tabbed redshirt sophomore Jalen Milroe to lead the team into Saturday’s home game against Middle Tennessee, ESPN reported Friday morning. However, less than a day prior to the news, Saban gave every indication that Bama’s new QB1 isn’t necessarily guaranteed to keep the role heading into Week 2.
“The quarterback who plays on Saturday, that’s the quarterback for Saturday,” Saban said on his radio show Thursday, per 247Sports. “The life of a quarterback—any quarterback—depends on how they perform. So if a guy plays well, that’s what creates security at that position. … A guy has got to understand that the way he performs is really, really important.
“Whoever starts the game, it’s not their job in perpetuity because they have to perform well. Because they don’t have a lot of experience, I think we’re all interested in seeing how they all perform.”
While it’s no secret that remaining a starter depends on performance, Saban’s remarks suggest Milroe, who’s started one of his 12 games over two seasons, will have to keep outshining Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner, true freshman Dylan Lonergan and redshirt freshmen Ty Simpson in order to retain the QB1 reins long-term.
Entering the weekend, the starting spot will be Milroe’s to lose after outlasting Bama’s other options under center this offseason, although it’s possible the Tide play multiple QBs against the middling Blue Raiders.
With the team set to deploy a new-look offense led by first-year coordinator Tommy Rees, Alabama may very well continue evaluating Milroe and Co. with a matchup against Texas on tap for Sept. 9.
