Michigan Football: 4 questions to answer about Shea Patterson’s return

Could Patterson’s return lead to another QB leaving the program?

On this point, I want to be clear, this is pure speculation, but it’s always possible that Patterson coming back causes another quarterback to leave. After all, Speight was still considering a comeback until Patterson committed. So let’s face it, at quarterback, the depth chart matters.

Guys are so willing to cut bait and transfer that it wouldn’t be shocking at all to see someone leave the program. Yet, if Michigan football plays things right, it should be able to hold onto both McCaffrey and Joe Milton.

Brandon Peters is the other veteran but at this point, he should see the writing on the wall. McCaffrey is next in line for the starting job and with Patterson back, he wouldn’t take over until he was a redshirt junior. Then, if Milton stayed, he could do the same as a redshirt junior in 2022, assuming McCaffrey starts two years.

That might seem like a long shot, however, it’s possible. McCaffrey got some time last season and he will get a chance to compete. If he proves worthy, Harbaugh will give him a look, however, it’s really hard to see him unseating Patterson unless Shea plays poorly in games and in practice. Yet, I don’t really see McCaffrey leaving early as long as he feels he is treated fairly.

But even with a chance to compete, kids want to play and so it’s possible at some point, this decision could cause someone like Milton, Peters or McCaffrey to look for a starting job elsewhere.