All great things must come to an end. Unfortunately, for the Michigan Wolverines QB Jack Tuttle, it came early. Many are wondering if there’s more to the story than what Tuttle is saying. Did someone push him to retire? Or is there someone responsible for this outcome? Fingers are being pointed, but unfortunately, none of it will bring Tuttle back to play at Ann Arbor.

RJ Young on his Number One College Football Show raised several questions concerning Tuttle’s ‘way too early’ retirement. Although the ex-QB cited the reason for throwing the towel early as an unrecovered arm injury and a fresh fifth concussion, it seems Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore might have played his part unknowingly. Tuttle’s career has been a tough one—filled with talent but overshadowed by being stuck behind superstar quarterbacks. As Young put it, “It’s a guy that ran into a generational prospect everywhere he went.” From Indiana’s Michael Penix Jr. to Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, Tuttle always found himself second in line.

At Michigan, Moore placed him third on the depth chart, behind Alex Orji and freshmen like Jadyn Davis. Tuttle only saw meaningful action when other QBs struggled. Was this negligence by Moore? That’s up for debate. As Young noted, “As we got closer to August, it felt less and less like the guy we thought was going to get the nod.” Injuries also hampered Tuttle’s preseason, making it hard for him to compete. Despite limited opportunities, Tuttle threw for 306 yards and one touchdown in two games this season. Young also pondered that throwing him in big games coming off a shoulder injury before the season was a bad move.

While Michigan’s QB room has solid potential, relying on promising but unproven players while a veteran like Jack Tuttle sat on the bench seemed a missed opportunity. Sherrone Moore could’ve done better, and he might have a tough time answering questions in his next presser. With the mediocre season so far for Wolverines 5-3 overall, his leadership qualities will be missed in the QB room.

The Wolverines head Moore’s recent handling of Tuttle’s situation has drawn sharp criticism, with some questioning if Moore ever had a long-term plan for the signal caller or if he was viewed as nothing more than an insurance policy. Isn’t it simple if you’ve got a QB problem, Go get one! But it’s not as simple considering Michigan’s state right now.

Jack Tuttle’s retirement adds more to Michigan’s QB dilemma

“There’s a lot of factors and things we could talk about,” Moore said. “Right now, we’re focused on today and everything we can do to win.” With Sherron Moore avoiding his QB dilemma when asked before playing Michigan State, we are only left to speculate.

Moore seems confident in the team’s homegrown talent. He seemed content to stick with a young core, favoring players who had grown within Michigan’s system rather than adding an outsider. Well, the depth chart’s stats says otherwise. The hesitation in reliance on Davis and Orji, one with 6 interceptions and the other who hasn’t thrown for 100 yards yet, is concerning. Surely, it’s not like they aren’t looking for options. The thing is, they can’t force recruits to join the program when they don’t want to.

The Wolverines have already changed three QBs so far. And as Jack Tuttle’s tragic retirement now demonstrates, this choice has left Michigan exposed, lacking an experienced quarterback to lead if McCarthy faces an injury. His decision not to recruit a portal QB may loom larger. Many insiders argue that Moore’s gamble on Michigan’s younger talent is risky. As the ‘former’ QB’s retirement makes painfully clear, Michigan’s QB depth isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity where, in this sport, protecting the QB is everything.