Texas A&M’s quarterback depth greatly benefits starting QB Conner Weigman in 2023

On Monday afternoon, Texas A&M Head Coach Jimbo Fisher announced that sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman had earned the starting quarterback job after an impressive fall camp during his month-long battle with veteran southpaw Max Johnson.

Even though the news barely came as a surprise to most, Weigman, who finished the 2022 season throwing for 896 yards and eight touchdowns without an interception for a 132.3 passer rating in five games, all but secured the starting gig after the 2022 season, but after succumbing to a season-ending hand injury earlier in the season, Max Johnson’s future with the program reached an impasse.

After Johnson soon announced his intention to return, coupled with the hiring of new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, Weigman’s starting trajectory became less clear due to Johnson’s vast SEC experience and notable arm talent, but as many of us in Aggie media preached since Weigman arrived in College Station, that young man is a born competitor.

The spring football season provided a brief yet telling glimpse of how things would eventually unfold in the fall, as both signal callers exhibited the traits needed to lead the Aggies in 2023: Weigman’s quick release, downfield vision, and noted repertoire with star-wide receiver Evan Stewart provided Jimbo Fisher and his a glimpse of his high ceiling at the postion, while Max Johnson proved to be one of the more reliably consistent quarterback in the country, once again showing off his live arm with his memorable deep shot to freshman WR Micah Tease.

Skipping past the annual summer loll and Talkin’ Season, Texas A&M’s 2023 Fall Camp injected a new sense of quarterback frenzy into the Aggie fanbase as the Conner Weigman vs. Max Johson would finally reach its conclusion. Aggie media members were forced to work off rumors and whispers within several closed scrimmages. Still, one thing was abundantly clear: Conner Weigman was a certified star in the making, and Max Johnson would soon become the best backup in the country and a reliable mentor in Weigman’s continued development.

Jimbo Fisher’s words spoke the loudest on Monday, stating that even though Weigman won the starting job, both he and Johnson possess the ability to aid the Aggies in rebounding this season.

“It’s a unique position… Quarterback is so different. Having two guys that can win, win at a high level and potentially win a championship for you helps you sleep well at night.”

Yes, Weigman is the future of the program. His film alone will answer any remaining questions, but having a proven commodity in Max Johson, who started 17 games while throwing for 4,401 yards and 38 touchdowns in two seasons with LSU, is one of the core reasons Fisher will continue to sleep well at night ahead of Saturday’s 2023 season opener.

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Story originally appeared on Aggies Wire