Let’s be real—things haven’t been smooth sailing for these QBs two lately. One has bad luck with injuries, and the other just had a massive dip in his form. And this is what Fox Sports’ great analyst Joel Klatt is yapping about on The Next Round podcast. Both the Texas Longhorns and Alabama Crimson Tide signal callers, Quinn Ewers and Jalen Milroe, need to hear, which seems to be a piece of advice rather than a jab.

The question is, should Quinn Ewers and Jalen Milroe return to college football next season and not enter the NFL Drafts next year to not lose the millions they can get? For example, the Texas QB can lose a hefty $30 million bag if he doesn’t make it as a first-round pick. And Klatt’s advice, “It is a veteran driven quarterback sport now and that’s who’s going to be up for Heisman Trophies; that’s who’s going to be playing for the national championships, and they were veterans this year.” As they both can make the first round, just not this year. Translation? Experience sells. And in a landscape where veteran QBs like Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. have dominated, the allure of returning to college for another year with lucrative NIL deals waiting might outweigh the immediate dream of going pro.

For Jalen Milroe, Bama’s 9-3 season and his clutch performances, including a big win in the Iron Bowl, showcase his growth as a dual-threat QB. But there’s no sugarcoating. His consistency has been questioned, and that infamous pick-six against Oklahoma still lingers. The NFL scouts may hesitate to label him a top pick this year, but his stock could soar with another season leading the Tide. And let’s not forget: the NIL era offers QBs like Milroe potential earnings in the millions, rivaling rookie NFL contracts.

With the Longhorns QB, Quinn Ewers, whose rollercoaster ride at Texas saw flashes of brilliance but also missed opportunities because of injuries this year. Ewers, whose arm strength has scouts drooling, might see himself as a first-round talent. But as Klatt noted, “He’s not going to be this year.” With Texas’ $30 million NIL war chest, as we explained earlier, staying in Austin for one more year isn’t just about refining his craft—it’s about cashing in while doing it. And if Texas makes another playoff push, his draft stock could skyrocket.

Klatt also emphasized the broader trend of transfer portal QBs thriving in today’s game, pointing to the success of veteran transfers like Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix. “Every coach I talk to is looking for the next veteran quarterback,” he said, hinting at the open market for both the passers. The decision ultimately boils down to risk versus reward. Declare for the draft and potentially enter as a mid-round pick? Or return, bet on themselves, and aim for the jackpot in 2025? The analyst can only share his advice.

What if one of them doesn’t take the advice of Joel Klatt?

And that one can be the Texas thrower, Quinn Ewers. He has had a rollercoaster season, with highs and lows that impacted his potential draft stock. Briefly benched for Arch Manning during Texas’ rough loss to Georgia, Ewers faced a moment of reckoning. Yet he bounced back impressively, tallying 23 touchdowns to just six interceptions ahead of the Aggies game. While Ewers, injured, remains a first-round talent, the 2025 draft class features stronger prospects like Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward potentially ahead of him, as Klatt mentioned. A stellar playoff run, though, could boost both Ewers and Milroe’s draft positions dramatically.

NFL teams in desperate need of quarterback talent, teams like the Giants and the Jets, could be prime landing spots for Ewers. The Giants have already made bold moves, cutting ties with Daniel Jones despite signing him to a $160 million deal less than two years ago. Both franchises are hungry for a franchise QB. Now whether next year or not remains the prime question.