Nick Saban: A 2-quarterback system is 'not something that we've talked about to this point'

As the Alabama quarterback competition continues, it might be worth wondering if a two-quarterback system could be in the cards for Nick Saban. He has made it clear the goal is to let the contest play out before addressing who the starter will be, but he was asked about the idea of using two quarterbacks during his Wednesday press conference.

It doesn’t seem likely at this point in camp.

Although he didn’t entirely rule it out — the cake isn’t done yet — Saban said the goal is to work with the three quarterbacks during the competition.

“We’re trying to develop all of our quarterbacks right now,” Saban said after initially bristling at the question. “So that’s not something that we’ve talked about to this point. If we think it’s going to help us win down the road, then we’ll certainly consider it.”

Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner continue to battle it out to become Alabama’s starting quarterback under new coordinator Tommy Rees. Saban has made it clear he’ll have an update when someone separates themselves from the rest of the pack, but at this time, it’s still unclear who the Crimson Tide’s QB1.

With a few weeks left before the season opener, there’s still time for Saban and the staff to make a final decision.

Breaking down the resumes of the three Alabama quarterbacks

Each Alabama quarterback has a different set of skills and experience. Milroe got some game reps behind Bryce Young a year ago after he went down with an injury. In eight games, he completed 31 of 53 passes for 297 yards and five touchdowns while throwing three interceptions. He also did work on the ground, rushing for 263 yards and a touchdown.

At Notre Dame, Buchner appeared in 13 games over two years. He spent his freshman year largely behind Jack Coan in 2021, but still threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 336 yards and three scores on the ground. In 2022, he threw for 651 yards over three games — including 273 yards and three touchdowns in the Gator Bowl against South Carolina.

Simpson didn’t play much as a true freshman last year, completing 4 of 5 passes for 70 yards in four games. He is a former five-star recruit and was the No. 25 prospect in the nation from the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.