The main headline of Alabama's offseason hasn't just been about whether the Crimson Tide have an elite quarterback to take over the reins in 2026—it's also been centered around the backdrop of what happens to the one who doesn't win the job.
For months, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell have been battling side by side to replace Ty Simpson as Alabama's next starter in Tuscaloosa. One will eventually emerge as the face of the offense, and the other will be relegated to the backup role.
For as talented as both quarterbacks are, there's only one football and only one can fully earn the right to lead Alabama's offense onto the field this fall. It's simply part of the game. What isn't typical, however, is the caliber of quarterback likely to finish in second place.
CBS Sports ranks the loser of Alabama's QB competition among the nation's top backup signal callers.
According to CBS Sports, the loser of Alabama's quarterback battle ranks among the top backup signal callers in college football entering the 2026 season, a testament to the depth that Kalen DeBoer has assembled in the Crimson Tide's quarterback room over the past two years. Though CBS has already reported that sources within the program believe that Russell is viewed to have the slight edge this spring, DeBoer has praised both him and Mack each for what they individually bring to the table.
Whether it's Russell or Mack who ultimately wins the starting gig, Alabama appears to be in a luxury spot at the position. DeBoer and second-year offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb don't just have a capable backup waiting in the wings—they'll have a QB2 many programs would gladly hand the keys to their offense. And in an era where College Football Playoff runs are often decided by quarterback stability and depth, the Tide may be positioning itself to avoid the drop-off that ends seasons elsewhere.
Alabama has lived through multiple talented quarterback situations before during Nick Saban's tenure—most notably in 2018, when Jalen Hurts was pushed by Tua Tagovailoa, and when Bryce Young followed behind Mac Jones in 2020—and a similar kind of luxury lies at the headset of DeBoer in year three.
This battle isn't just about producing an immediate starter under center; it's about potentially having a backup who would already be labeled as "the guy" for the 2026 season at plenty of other playoff hopeful programs. If Alabama hits its ceiling again this season, it may not just be because Mack or Russell wins the job—it may be the player who doesn't still give them a championship-level safety net.
With all that being considered, DeBoer and Grubb aren't expected to officially name a starter between Russell and Mack until the tail end of fall camp in August—but CBS Sports' takeaway is simple: Alabama's QB2 may be the Crimson Tide's quietest edge heading into 2026.
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