Jake Merklinger’s new contract signals there is a QB battle on Rocky Top

Tennessee football has a quarterback battle brewing on Rocky Top after Tennessee signed Joey Aguilar in the transfer portal, but it looks like the Vols are buying in on Jake Merklinger heading into the summer.

Aguilar’s acquisition led many to believe that he might be the guy for Tennessee this year, spreading hype throughout Vol Nation. While that might still be the case, it looks like Tennessee is not putting all its eggs in one basket.

On3 Sports reported that Merklinger and the Vols have agreed on a new contract after going through the 2025 spring camp.

While the Vols signed Aguilar out of the transfer portal, Merklinger’s new contract signals that there will officially be a quarterback battle on Rocky Top.

Merklinger offers the most experience in Josh Heupel’s offense, which immediately gives him the upper hand in a QB battle because of his reliability in navigating the system.

Heupel has often relied on players who know the system over others who are still learning the ins and outs of the offense. While that could be the case again this year, there is not nearly as much room for error for any player in Tennessee’s quarterback room.

Tennessee isn’t initially riding with Aguilar, although the signing sparked some excitement throughout Vol Nation. Aguilar’s addition only complicates the quarterback battle, with freshman quarterback George MacIntyre waiting for his opportunity as well.

Some reports came out of Tennessee’s spring camp that MacIntyre might have had the upper hand if there was a quarterback battle between Merklinger and MacIntyre, making him a contender for the Vols’ starting quarterback this fall. We still have a long way to go before Heupel and company decide on the Vols’ QB1, but the quarterback battle could make for a fun summer on Rocky Top.