Last week, head coach Billy Napier remained tight-lipped about how Florida would utilize quarterbacks Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway in their game against Texas A&M. However, it quickly became evident that the Gators were rotating the two QBs every drive, regardless of the result. After the game, Napier confirmed this strategy, explaining, “We committed to rotating them in a specific progression to keep both players in a good mental state without worrying about being replaced after each drive.”
Napier defended the decision, stating, “We believed it was in the best interest of the team to follow through with that plan. It wasn’t the reason we lost today. There were plenty of other factors at play.”
While I agree that the QB rotation wasn’t the sole cause of Florida’s two-touchdown loss, the decision to alternate Mertz and Lagway ‘regardless of outcome’ raises concerns about whether the staff prioritized winning or managing the quarterbacks’ confidence.
Mertz led the Gators to a touchdown on their first second-half drive, yet he was substituted for Lagway, who went three-and-out after an overthrow to Chimere Dike, a second-down run, and a sack.
Ultimately, whether Mertz or Lagway played the entire game might not have changed the outcome, as neither controls play-calling, blocking, or defense. But operating under a ‘regardless of outcome’ mindset doesn’t seem ideal in the SEC—especially for such a crucial position.
Just two days after the loss, Napier slightly adjusted the plan. Florida will still give Lagway early reps, likely on the second drive, but now the rotation will be more flexible, with more snaps going to the “hot hand.”
Napier clarified the shift on Monday, saying, “We’ll get DJ involved early, but after that, it’s open-ended. Both halves will be handled this way.” He added, “If they’re not doing their job, they’ll stand next to me. But overall, I don’t see that being an issue.”
As Florida prepares for its first road game of the 2024 season against Mississippi State, both Mertz and Lagway will still see the field. However, their playing time will now depend more on their in-game performance than a predetermined rotation.
