Is XFL bringing QB rotation back? Cole McDonald takes on Jalen Hurts role, rotates starting QB spot with Brandon Silvers
Jalen Hurts might have been the breakout player in the NFL, but in the XFL, Cole McDonald and Brandon Silvers might be combining to chart new territory. We're used to seeing dual-threat quarterbacks, but the Houston Roughnecks showed a new way to combine all threats.
Against the Arlington Renegades in the second week of the XFL, they interchanged their quarterbacks depending on the situation. The nominal starter was Brandon Silvers, but whenever there was a situation like third-and-short, they interchanged him with Cole McDonald.
That would lead to quarterback rushes or sneaks like rugby scrums, something Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles pioneered in the NFL last season. In other long-throw situations, the Roughnecks would persist with Silvers.
A Brandon Silvers pass to Ben Putnam gave Houston a 24-yard gain and a first down. Cole McDonald was brought in for a third and short and he handed to Max Borghi for another first down. #XFL #XFL2023 #XFLRenegades #Houston
Could Jalen Hurts rotate with Gardner Minshew, thanks to Brandon Silvers and Cole McDonald in XFL?
The NFL might want to look XFL's way for some innovations. Some of the rule changes have made the play exciting.
However, will we see Nick Sirianni starting to rotate Jalen Hurts with Gardner Minshew because of that? That seems highly unlikely given how good Jalen Hurts was last season, when he was good in passing situations and excellent in rushing. Nevertheless, anyone who saw his last Hail Mary attempt during their loss in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs might not think about a working backup as dismissable.
While it might not make much sense for the Philadelphia Eagles right now, other NFL teams have utilized such rotations among quarterbacks, even in recent memory. One particular example is from the New Orleans Saints, where Taysom Hill came in many situations where they required their quarterback to take on hits, break tackles and create rushing yards.
#Saints Taysom Hill finished the 2022 season with 11 total touchdowns, while taking snaps at QB/RB/WR/TE/Punt Coverage and Punt Protector.
Hill finished the year with 892 total yards and an NVP award.
Remember the reaction to his contract extension news? https://t.co/IdIZqtywiX
The Houston Roughnecks eventually beat the Arlington Renegades 23-14, and both quarterbacks played pivotal roles. Both Brandon Silvers and Cole McDonald were present at the culmination of at least one touchdown drive.
In a league that has thrown up some exciting twists, this may be the latest to inspire other football leagues. Much like Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles borrowed from rugby, the XFL seems to be pivoting towards "Total Football," as pioneered by Ajax and later by Barcelona in soccer.
While that may seem a silly idea now, ask any soccer fans about the influence Ajax and Barcelona have had on the modern game, and keep an eye out for more XFL innovations.