After being benched at Michigan for JJ McCarthy a few seasons ago, Cade McNamara decided to try his luck elsewhere, and that is how Iowa ended up with him as their starting quarterback. Of course, there has been evidence that the Iowa coaching staff violated transfer portal rules and was in contact with McNamara before the portal window officially opened.
All of the Iowa fans are the first to point out that Kirk Ferentz cheated to get this guy and he can barely lead the Hawkeyes offense. The last time Cade McNamara threw a passing touchdown against a power conference opponent was in the 2021 Big Ten Championship when he was with Michigan...playing against Iowa.
Now, McNamara did miss the majority of the 2022 season out with an injury and was unlucky with injuries in 2023 as well, but that still is a long time not to throw a passing touchdown against a power conference opponent, especially when you play in a power conference
With the success of the offense really being in their run game for the Hawkeyes and McNamara only really looking good against FCS and lower-tier FBS opponents, fans have been begging head coach Kirk Ferentz for a change of scenery.
In fall camp, there was a quarterback battle going on, but Ferentz was pretty clear that it was McNamara's job to lose. Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan was one battling McNamara for the starting role, but when McNamara was named the starter, it was clear he would have a short leash.
Either Ferentz's definition of "short leash" is different than everyone else's or, he was just saying that to appease those who were questioning the choice of McNamara as the starter because his stats should have had him on the bench in game three.
McNamara has thrown for just 686 yards on 78 attempts all season long. He has three passing touchdowns to match his three interceptions on the season and has been sacked 33 times already. Now, the sacks are a result of poor offensive line play, but McNamara is a pretty mobile quarterback and has the ability to get out of pressure.
He also has thrown for under 100 yards three times in the Hawkeye's first five games, two of those being Iowa'a losses on the season. He threw for just 99 yards against Iowa State in their 20-19 loss; he threw for 62 yards against Minnesota in their 31-14 win, which was highlighted by Kaleb Johnson and the run game, and he threw for 98 yards against Ohio State in their 35-7 loss and turned the ball over three times, all three resulting in Buckeyes scores.
Sullivan was put in for the final Iowa drive against Ohio State and led the only scoring drive of the game for the Hawkeyes, but it should be noted that it was against Ohio State's subs. However, Sullivan has also been used for quite a few goal-line plays in the past couple of games for the Hawkeyes and has performed well.
It just seems like if something isn't working, why not give Sullivan a try? The offense is new this season and has shown signs of life, but that is more because of the run game than anything else. However, Ferentz is choosing to stick with McNamara for the foreseeable future. It would probably take a lot for Ferentz to make a change at this point, but this definitely won't help with the fans who want Ferentz gone.