The $6 Million Question

Notre Dame enters the 2026 college football season as one of the country's elite programs — a national championship contender with a proven coaching staff, a dominant defense, and a Heisman-caliber quarterback in CJ Carr. But beneath the surface, the Fighting Irish face a question that could define the program's future: who is the backup quarterback?

The Athletic published a report on September 14 titled 'Notre Dame final thoughts: Backup QB battle could be a $6 million question', highlighting the financial and strategic stakes of the backup battle. The '$6 million' figure refers to the total compensation packages of the three backup candidates — Noah Grubbs, Blake Hebert, and Teddy Jarrard — each of whom signed lucrative NIL deals with the Irish.

"Notre Dame backup QB Noah Grubbs went 7-of-11 for 78 yards in Saturday's rout of Rice," The Athletic reported. "The result was not enough to separate him from the other candidates in the backup battle, but it gave Marcus Freeman something to work with as the Irish prepare for Week 3."

The Three Candidates

Notre Dame's backup quarterback battle is a three-way race between:

  • Noah Grubbs — a freshman quarterback who has been the most consistent performer in limited playing time. Grubbs went 7-of-11 for 78 yards in Week 2 against Rice, and his accuracy and decision-making have impressed the coaching staff. The Athletic describes Grubbs as "a live possibility" for the backup role.
  • Blake Hebert — a graduate transfer from Vanderbilt who has experience as a backup in a high-powered offense. Hebert has been in the mix since spring practice, and his veteran leadership could be valuable in a backup role. Yahoo Sports reported that "the battle is about finding a Notre Dame backup quarterback whom Freeman trusts with enough of Denbrock's system."
  • Teddy Jarrard — a sophomore quarterback who has been the early favorite for the backup role. Jarrard was expected to rise to the backup quarterback position during fall camp, but the competition has been closer than expected. The Grueling Truth reported that "the backup quarterback battle creates intriguing debate behind CJ Carr."

Marcus Freeman's Three-Way Battle

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has been transparent about the backup battle. In a press conference, Freeman confirmed that the battle is "three-way" and that all three candidates are "in the hunt" for the No. 2 role. Freeman said the backup is "critical" for the program — a backup who can run the offense smoothly while Carr is under treatment or recovering from a minor injury.

The Athletic reported that Freeman is looking for a backup who can "keep the Irish playing the same brand of football when Carr comes out." The backup must understand the offensive system, make the right decisions, and protect the ball — all while potentially facing a defense that has scouted the opponent's offensive scheme.

ProFootballNetwork reported that Freeman addressed the backup battle in a March 2026 press conference, saying: "We have three guys who can play. The competition is healthy. We'll figure it out."

The Long-Term Implications

The backup QB battle has long-term implications that extend beyond the 2026 season. CJ Carr is entering his final year of eligibility in 2027, and Notre Dame will need to find a replacement for one of the program's most important players. The backup who emerges from this battle could be the foundation for Notre Dame's next generation of quarterbacks.

ATozSports published an analysis noting that "the Notre Dame football backup quarterback battle behind CJ Carr is about far more than a depth chart listing for the 2026 season. Head coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish coaching staff are quietly laying the groundwork for what could be a critical transition at the most important position."

The Athletic's report on the backup battle noted that the '$6 million question' is not just about the 2026 season — it is about Notre Dame's future as a program. The backup who wins the battle will be the program's next quarterback, and the decision will define the Irish's offensive identity for years to come.

Week 3 and Beyond

Notre Dame hosts Michigan State in Week 3, and the backup QB battle could be decided before the game. Freeman has said the backup is "locked in" before the game, and the backup who starts on Saturday will be the program's No. 2 quarterback for the remainder of the season.

The backup battle is not just about playing time — it is about the program's future. The Athletic's $6 million figure is a reminder that the backup QB role is one of the most important positions on any roster, and the decision will have financial, strategic, and competitive implications for Notre Dame for years to come.

For CFB27 Players

The Notre Dame backup QB battle has implications for CFB27 players who own Notre Dame quarterback assets. CJ Carr remains the primary QB in the game, but the backup who emerges from this battle could become valuable as the season progresses. Players should monitor the backup QB battle and consider picking up backup QBs who could see more playing time as the season advances.

The long-term implications of the backup battle are also important for CFB27 players who are thinking about the future of the game. The backup who wins this battle could be the face of Notre Dame's offense for years to come, and the decision will affect the program's competitive landscape in the game.