$80M worth Nick Saban offers insight on reason behind “failure rate with QBs” transitioning into NFL
Former Alabama coach Nick Saban has offered his insights on why several college football quarterbacks have struggled to make an impact in the NFL. Saban, who is worth $80 million as per Celebrity Net Worth, has suggested how the expectations behind young signal-callers can lead them to failure in the big league.
On Thursday's episode of "The Pat McAfee Show," Saban was asked about the failure rate of quarterbacks after transitioning from college football to the NFL.
"I think first of all, the number one reason why there's such a failure rate with QBs, even guys that are very high draft picks, is they come in with great expectations," Saban said. "They really don't know for sure all the things they needed to do to be able to play in the NFL. They go out there and play before they're ready, they lose their confidence and bad things happen."
Saban explained that young quarterbacks have a better chance of success when they have time to develop. He gave an example of how Aaron Rodgers took over the reins from the experience of Brett Favre at the Green Bay Packers.
Saban also pointed out the current situation with the Atlanta Falcons, who recently announced that rookie Michael Penix Jr. would be the starting quarterback in the closing stages of the season, ahead of veteran Kirk Cousins.
Notably, some rookie signal-callers have made a solid impact in the big league, including Jayden Daniels with the Washington Commanders and Bo Nix with the Denver Broncos.
Nick Saban outlines benefits of NIL deals for college players
After addressing the issue of the quarterbacks' failure rate in the NFL, Nick Saban also spoke on the positive impact that NILs have had on players.
“Well, I think it’s obviously good for the players if they can make that kind of money as college players, which was never allowed,” Saban said. “We weren’t allowed to have anything prior to five years ago. But I do think, on the development side of it, it is not beneficial to players.
"I think when you have to go out and compete — and I don’t think you can be a good competitor, you mentioned it, if you can’t overcome adversity. That’s a part of being a good competitor."
Nick Saban coached at the college level for 28 years. He won seven national titles, one with LSU and six at Alamaba.
Saban retired from coaching earlier this year and joined ESPN's College GameDay as an analyst.