Michigan Football: Examining different starting QB scenarios

Michigan football is set to enter what many thought was a two-way quarterback competition but OC Josh Gattis said three guys have a chance. Here’s a breakdown of each possible scenario.

For months, Michigan football fans have speculated that either Dylan McCaffrey or Joe Milton would be the next starting quarterback for the Wolverines.

And while that still seems very likely, Josh Gattis, the Wolverines second-year offensive coordinator said that Michigan football’s quarterback battle will also include redshirt freshman Cade McNamara.

Gattis also said that none of three players was considered the leader at this point. McCaffrey was thought to be the backup last year but that doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.

There may be some truth to what Gattis said and if McNamara lights it up, he may have a chance to get into the mix. But overcoming McCaffrey and/or Milton seems like a tall order.

Still, here are a few possible QB scenarios next fall and looking at the potential fallout.

McCaffrey wins the job

If McCaffrey wins the job, it will be interesting to see if he keeps the job all year. That’s a question that can be asked of all three potential starters but he’s sort of seen as the incumbent since he has played the most and has been the backup the last two years to Shea Patterson.

If Michigan football has a limited number of practices before play starts, that could give McCaffrey a built-in advantage. The reality though, is that whoever opens the year as the starter will need to play well or the coaching staff will hear calls to play the backup. That’s the nature of the beast no matter how established you are.

But the other thing about McCaffrey keeping the job all year and presumably taking it into next year, is that likely means Milton will transfer. He might sit and wait his turn, but sitting for two years behind McCaffrey would mean he wouldn’t start until he was a redshirt senior and that just doesn’t seem realistic.

Milton wins the job

On other hand, if Joe Milton ends up being the starter, either at the beginning of the year or at some point in the season, McCaffrey would also probably look to leave.

If Milton was the starter, it’s doubtful McCaffrey would stick around to be his backup, when he could transfer and play right away as a graduate in 2021. Michigan could find enough uses for him next season because he can run and do enough as a pure athlete to contribute.

Milton seems like more of a pure quarterback. I still think he will see the field if McCaffrey is the starter, but this quarterback competition isn’t just determining the starter this year, it’s likely determining next season’s starter too.

What happens if McNamara wins the job?

It’s doubtful that McNamara will be able to win the job, however, his development this fall and in his second year with the program is important. As it seems like one quarterback will transfer after the season, McNamara will have to battle with J.J. McCarthy, who could also push for the starting job next season.

If he’s not quite ready, Michigan will need McNamara to be the reliable veteran. At this point, he’s the guy getting overlooked and with McCarthy viewed as the next savior, he’s going to have to prove a lot of people wrong to ever become the starting quarterback.