The biggest question surrounding the 2023 Alabama football team revolves around Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson.

Both are in a competition for the starting quarterback role and as the Crimson Tide continued its spring practices, no clear frontrunner emerged from the pairing, at least publically. Practices and intrasquad games, aside from A-Day, are closed to the media. Video snippets, like a fly-route thrown by Milroe and caught by Ja’Corey Brooks released to Twitter, generate hype. But in reality, a starter likely won’t be named until the fall.

Speaking to the media ahead of the team’s second scrimmage this Saturday, Nick Saban was asked for an update on each thrower:

“I think both guys have made really good progress,” Saban said. “We’re not disappointed in anybody’s progress. I thought they both played well in the scrimmage. Both guys have had their moments in practice. They’ve also had learning opportunities and they’ve made mistakes. Both of them have responded very well and made improvements so there’s really no, I don’t have an evaluation other than the fact we’re coaching every one of the four quarterbacks that we have in the program every day to try to help them be the best players they can be. We’re going to continue to do that and hopefully, those guys will continue to have the right attitude about trying to play winning football at the position.”

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While Saban noted on his first press conference of the year on March 20 “everybody has an opportunity” it’s very likely the starting role will be between the two elder statesmen in the quarterback room, which also includes freshmen Dylan Lonergan and Eli Holstein.

Saban commended the growth both Milroe had Simpson had shown from last fall. Both are working with first-year offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and all were commended after the Tide’s first scrimmage last week. The unit provided explosive plays (no stats were provided) and took advantage of a defense missing a few starters.

Milroe did well in his eight games played last fall, which included one start against Texas A&M and a mid-game injury replacement for Bryce Young at Arkansas. Milroe completed 31 of his 53 pass attempts for 297 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. More of a threat with his legs, Milroe also totaled 265 net yards and one touchdown running the ball. Simpson appeared mostly late in fourth quarters for clean-up work while the clock ran out. Simpson went 4-of-5 for 35 yards, his longest completion a 14-yarder against Austin Peay in the last nonconference home game of the year.

“One of the things that sometimes you have to learn is that you got to eliminate the bad plays to play winning football. There’s some plays in the game that kill you. So to be able to eliminate those things is a bigger part of being able to execute all the good things. … That’s what helps you play winning football,” Saban said.

Milroe’s giveaways impeded the offense at times while Young was out last fall. In addition to his three picks, Milroe also had two fumbles lost. (Milroe didn’t appear in either of Alabama’s losses.) And while Saban didn’t mention any specific player by name, his focus on limiting turnovers could apply to both possible starters as Simpson’s inexperience could lead to errors.

“Do you eliminate mistakes? And if you can execute and take advantage when the opportunity presents itself because you’re gonna distribute the ball on every down,” Saban said. “We don’t ever want to turn it over. You’ve heard me use the analogy before. We want every series to end in a kick. Might be a punt, might be a field goal, might be an extra point but we’re not turning it over and giving it to the other team. That’s an important part of being able to execute at the quarterback position.”

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].