Well, who wouldn’t want Carson Beck? The moment he hit the transfer portal, the race was on. Miami showed interest, but Georgia made the first move, determined to keep him in Athens for 2025. Then came Alabama, wasting no time. The Tide saw their shot—a proven QB to compete with redshirt sophomore Ty Simpson and 2025 four-star signee Keelon Russell for the starting role. With Jalen Milroe gone, the position was wide open. And really, who could be a better option than Carson Beck?

But now a bombshell report just surfaced about the Beck-Bama collab that never came to fruition. On the Jan. 30 episode of The SEC Podcast, a CFB insider revealed a surprising truth about the Tide’s interest in Beck. With nearly 4,000 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just six interceptions on 72.4% passing, Beck is a game changer. You’d think every single one of the 135 FBS teams would want a quarterback like that, right? Apparently not.

According to Matt Hayes, Alabama fans weren’t exactly thrilled. They were even more upset than Georgia fans, who, let’s be honest, were roasting Beck all season for his interception problems. So Hayes asked the big question: “Why wouldn’t you want to upgrade your QB room? So Alabama fans would rather have a quarterback who has, how many snaps did Ty Simpson play in the last three years? Maybe 80? 100? They’d rather have Ty Simpson rather than a guy like Carson Beck. Weird!”

It’s a wild take, but the debate is far from over. As a backup, Simpson saw time in just six games, throwing for 167 yards on 14-of-25 passing while also rushing eight times for 44 yards and a touchdown. Yet, some Tide fans would rather roll with him than take a shot at Beck. And the strangest part? Alabama fans weren’t just upset about Beck—they were mad at Kalen DeBoer for even trying to land him. A proven winner from their own conference, yet some fans pushed back.

But here’s the kicker—less than 48 hours after hitting the portal, Beck signed with Miami, even issuing a “do not contact” request. That leaves one lingering question. There was no bad blood with Kirby Smart. No drama. No falling out. So why did he leave? Was it about fit? The future? Or maybe just the need for change after spending five seasons with the same team? Whatever the reason, Beck’s exit shook up the SEC. Now, he’s moving forward with the Hurricanes.

And what about Alabama’s QB situation? Coach DeBoer isn’t making any promises, but he knows the stakes are high. With Ty Simpson as the last resort, he’s got to find the right guy to lead the Tide back to the top.

Who’s gonna be Alabama’s starting QB?

The starting QB spot for Alabama is wide open, and Ty Simpson is the frontrunner. But it’s not a done deal yet. Washington transfer Austin Mack and blue-chip freshman Keelon Russell are in the mix, too. However, Mack holds the edge. DeBoer has faith in him, making him the top contender for the job. With the pressure mounting, DeBoer has some tough decisions ahead, but Mack’s experience might just give him the upper hand.

The battle for QB1 is on…

However, during Simpson’s spring practices, DeBoer hinted at the opportunity waiting his way. “You certainly appreciate what he’s done. He’s continued to work on what he can control—himself. He’s built relationships and is getting ready for this chance right in front of him,” DeBoer said. It’s clear Simpson has been stepping up as a leader. But DeBoer wasn’t ready to spill all the details just yet. “It’s not that simple,” he cautioned. The moment’s coming, but the competition is still heating up.

With Russell and Mack waiting in the wings, DeBoer sees plenty of promise in Alabama’s quarterback room. “There are some very strong strengths that we have, and I’m excited about them,” he said. While each QB brings something unique to the table, they share similarities that make them formidable. Whether Ty Simpson likes it or not, DeBoer knows exactly how the competition will shape things. It’s a high-stakes battle, and every move matters.