Nick Saban explains lack of Alabama depth chart ahead of Week 1

While many teams around the country are releasing their depth chart ahead of Week 1, Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide are waiting until the last possible moment.

Evidently, Saban isn’t a fan of the process, believing depth charts cause more problems than they’re worth. During his press conference on Monday, the Crimson Tide leader explained his thoughts on the matter.

“I know that your number one focus is not on the game, it’s on the depth chart,” Saban told the media. “Look, there’s a lot of competition on the team. When we put a depth chart out, you all think that’s like, final. Like this is etched in stone. It’s going to be this way forevermore. Just because we come out of fall camp, and that’s where it is. It creates a lot of distractions on our team. It creates a lot of guys thinking, ‘Well, this guy won the job and I’m not going to play now,’ or whatever. And quite frankly, we don’t need that.

“I want all of our players to continue to compete. To continue to compete for playing time. Try to play at the highest level. I don’t want anybody on our team to think they’re a backup player or whatever, and the depth chart kind of does that. I think most of the players on our team know who should start in a game and who shouldn’t start, but that’s something that they do day-to-day, in the terms of the way they compete and the way they play. Nobody is entitled to playing just because we put it on a piece of paper and say that’s the way it is today. So I apologize for that, but it is what it is.”

Alas, it makes sense why Saban wouldn’t want Alabama’s depth chart out there, but the media’s interest in the matter is understandable, as well. The Crimson Tide have a gigantic decision at quarterback, choosing who will be their successor to former Heisman winner Bryce Young.

The trio of Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner have been battling it out, and it’s evident there’s a lot of talent in the Alabama quarterback room. Still, there’s been nothing but silence from the Crimson Tide, and Saban attempts to eliminate all the distractions he can.

Regardless, we’re going to find out who it is sooner rather than later, as Alabama begins their season on Saturday. The depth chart is coming, even if Nick Saban doesn’t care for it.