Michigan State football: Should Payton Thorne get another chance in 2023?

Debate is about to arise between Michigan State football fans this offseason concerning the most important position on the field: quarterback.

Following the 2021 season, it felt like the quarterback position was the area of least concern on the entire offense. Payton Thorne was coming off a record-breaking 2021 season in which he passed for over 3,200 yards and 27 touchdowns and he had the starting job locked up for as long as he was on campus.

Or so we thought.

Thorne followed up that record-breaking season with a disappointing one, passing for 2,679 yards and 19 touchdowns. And although his completion rate increased by about 2.5 percent, his yards per attempt dipped over a full yard and he looked less confident in the pocket. Thorne just looked like he regressed as a passer.

When you lose a generational talent like Kenneth Walker III from the backfield behind you, it makes sense that you’ll go through an adjustment phase, but Thorne looked off all year.

So should he be given the keys to the car once again in 2023?

Michigan State football’s QB battle will take center stage

It’s been a couple of years since Michigan State had a legitimate quarterback battle but that’s going to change this offseason as Thorne will be battling it out with Noah Kim and Katin Houser.

So to answer the question above about Thorne being given the keys to the offense, I think the answer is clear: if he wins the battle outright, he should absolutely be the starter. If there’s any concern about him as QB1 after the battle, the staff should make a change or give him a short leash and then make a switch after a game or two.

I think there are 2-3 starting caliber quarterbacks in the room heading into the 2023 season and that’s not including Sam Leavitt who I think needs a year to learn and grow.

My best bet for the starter is Houser but if Thorne wins the job fair and square, you won’t hear any complaints from me. All we want to see is improvement and the guy who gives the team the best chance to win.