In the midst of a quarterback dilemma, Kalen DeBoer makes a heartbreaking admission about Alabama with regret.

As the 2025 season approaches, Alabama football finds itself in the midst of a quarterback dilemma that has captured the attention of both fans and analysts alike. The Crimson Tide, historically one of the most dominant programs in college football, is facing a challenge that has, for the most part, eluded the team in recent years: uncertainty at the quarterback position.

For a program as prestigious as Alabama, the quarterback role is one that holds immense weight. It’s a position that has been home to some of the best in college football history, from Tua Tagovailoa to Jalen Hurts, and later, Mac Jones. Each of these quarterbacks helped lead Alabama to National Championships, and their leadership and skill became synonymous with success.

However, in the spring of 2025, Alabama finds itself facing a dilemma. The team has a deep pool of talent vying for the starting quarterback spot, including Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson, and Dylan Lonergan. While all three quarterbacks possess exceptional physical tools, none have been able to emerge as the clear leader heading into the season.

In the midst of this uncertainty, offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer, who joined Alabama with high hopes of revitalizing the offense, recently made a heartbreaking admission about the quarterback situation. With a sense of regret, DeBoer reflected on how the quarterback dilemma had put a strain on Alabama’s offensive preparations, and how it has impacted the overall direction of the program.

Kalen DeBoer’s Heartbreaking Admission

Kalen DeBoer, who was hired as Alabama’s offensive coordinator in an effort to revamp a unit that had, at times, looked stagnant, has long been a proponent of stability and consistency in the quarterback position. Known for his offensive ingenuity and ability to build dynamic systems around the strengths of his players, DeBoer was tasked with finding a quarterback who could lead the offense into a new era.

However, in a candid interview with reporters, DeBoer admitted that the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback battle had cast a shadow over Alabama’s offensive preparations.

“I’ll be honest with you,” DeBoer said. “I expected more clarity by this point. I thought we’d have a better sense of who our guy was going to be, and that we could start building everything around him. But here we are, still sorting through it, and I regret not being able to settle on one quarterback sooner.”

His admission, while honest, is somewhat heartbreaking for Alabama fans who had hoped that, after a promising 2024 season, the Crimson Tide would finally have a quarterback ready to take the reins. Instead, the program is still grappling with internal questions and external pressure to find the right leader before the 2025 season kicks off.

The Quarterback Dilemma: Why Alabama is Struggling to Choose a Starter

The quarterback dilemma at Alabama is not unique to the program—it’s an issue that many elite teams face in a changing landscape of college football. But for Alabama, the problem is particularly pressing. The program’s legacy of success has long been tied to powerful offenses, and while the defense has been a constant, the offensive side of the ball is increasingly becoming a focal point in Nick Saban’s vision for the future.

Alabama has had its fair share of quarterbacks with high profiles. The likes of Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones played in a style that reflected a potent, high-powered passing attack. Yet, as college football continues to evolve, the requirements for a successful quarterback have shifted. Today’s quarterbacks need to be not only effective passers but also dynamic playmakers capable of thriving in a system that requires precision and adaptability.

This shift has left Alabama with a mix of quarterbacks who bring different skill sets to the table, but no one who seems to perfectly align with what DeBoer and Saban want in their ideal quarterback.

Jalen Milroe, the most experienced of the trio, is a gifted athlete with elite speed and arm strength. He has shown flashes of brilliance during his limited appearances in games, but his consistency as a passer remains a major question mark. For Milroe, this spring has been a crucial time to prove that he can be a more reliable option under center, but so far, he has struggled with decision-making and accuracy.

Ty Simpson, a former five-star recruit, has all the tools needed to succeed in DeBoer’s offense. He is known for his strong arm and natural football instincts. However, Simpson has yet to show that he can handle the pressure of leading Alabama in high-stakes games. His ability to perform when the lights are brightest has been a major point of concern, and the coaching staff has made it clear that Simpson needs more time to develop before they can consider him a legitimate starting candidate.

Dylan Lonergan, the youngest of the group, is a true freshman who has the potential to develop into a star. He comes to Alabama with a high football IQ and an impressive skill set. However, as a newcomer, he has yet to prove himself in the demanding environment of SEC football. While his future looks bright, it’s unrealistic to expect him to immediately step in and take over the role of starting quarterback for Alabama in his first season.

As DeBoer explained, this uncertainty has made it incredibly difficult to build the offense around any one player. “We don’t have the luxury of knowing who our guy is right now, and that makes it challenging to tailor our offense to their strengths,” he said. “We’re still in the evaluation process, and that’s tough for everyone involved.”

The Impact of the Quarterback Dilemma on Alabama’s Offensive Strategy

The quarterback situation has had a significant ripple effect on Alabama’s offensive strategy heading into 2025. In DeBoer’s system, the quarterback is expected to not only manage the game but also be a dynamic playmaker who can lead the offense with confidence. This requires a certain level of trust and familiarity that is difficult to establish when the quarterback battle is ongoing.

Without a clear starter, Alabama has struggled to fully implement DeBoer’s offensive scheme. The offensive line, wide receivers, and running backs need to develop chemistry with the quarterback, but with multiple players competing for the role, that synchronization is much harder to achieve.

DeBoer has been forced to adjust his approach, opting for a more flexible offensive system that can work with any of the three quarterbacks. “We’ve had to adjust our playbook to make sure it’s something any of our quarterbacks can execute,” DeBoer explained. “It’s not ideal, but it’s what we have to do for now.”

The lack of a definitive starting quarterback has also affected Alabama’s ability to develop consistency. Spring practices and scrimmages are essential for fine-tuning an offense, but with the quarterback battle still unresolved, DeBoer has struggled to determine which quarterback best fits his vision for the team. Without that clarity, the offense remains in a state of flux.

DeBoer’s Regret and What’s Next for Alabama’s Quarterback Battle

Kalen DeBoer’s regret over the quarterback dilemma is understandable. In an ideal world, he would have liked to have identified a starting quarterback early in the spring, allowing him to build the offensive system around that player’s strengths. Instead, the prolonged uncertainty has put Alabama’s offensive development at risk, especially with the pressure of the upcoming 2025 season.

But despite the setbacks, DeBoer remains confident in his ability to work through the issue. “We’ll figure it out. That’s our job as coaches,” he said with determination. “We have a talented group of quarterbacks, and whoever ends up winning the job will have the opportunity to lead us.”

Alabama’s coaching staff will continue to evaluate the quarterbacks throughout the summer and into fall camp, looking for any signs that one of the candidates can step up and seize control of the starting role. The final decision will likely come down to which quarterback can demonstrate the most consistency, leadership, and ability to execute DeBoer’s high-paced offense.