“Everybody's worried about f***ing TikTok”: AJ McCarron drops blunt statement on Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama takeover

The No. 15 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-2, 2-2 SEC) are facing blowback from the fanbase in their first year with Kalen DeBoer as head coach. DeBoer took over the position after Nick Saban retired earlier this year.

Since then, pundits and fans have been critical of how the team has been managed under his leadership.

In Week 8, Alabama lost, 24-17, to the No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers (6-1, 3-1). The defeat has increased scrutiny over how DeBoer and the Tide have changed the team's culture since Saban stepped down.

Former Alabama and NFL quarterback AJ McCarron commented on the recent loss on the "McCready & Siskey" podcast and believes the standard the team had before is gone.

"I think for sure the standard that everybody was used to for so long after, you know, Alabama fans went through a bunch of h*ll leading up to those glorious years. I think it's definitely a different era. I don't think you'll see the same standard," McCarron said.

The former Crimson Tide quarterback also spoke about how social media and NIL opportunities had changed the culture of the program and college football overall. McCarron believes fans shouldn't compare the team's success to a few years ago because this is a new era for the sport.

"Everybody's worried about f***ing TikTok and having a reel and, you know, being on highlights for their personal self and personal gain and how much money they can get from NIL and, I mean, we just didn't have that sh*t back then. So, it was a team sport," McCarron said.

McCarron pointed out that this wasn't necessarily a dig at the Alabama coaching staff but that college football is experiencing a culture shift.

"His biggest positive is also his biggest negative": AJ McCarron's thoughts on Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe

On the podcast, McCarron discussed Alabama's current quarterback situation and the possibility of DeBoer starting Ty Simpson over Jalen Milroe.

He also mentioned that he recently was in the studio for TNT, covering the Mountain West Conference, and was asked about his thoughts on Milroe as a quarterback. McCarron believes Milroe is a great player but isn't good at being a pocket quarterback.

"His biggest positive is also his biggest negative, McCarron said. "They had a list of quarterbacks (TNT). Out of that list of quarterbacks that they showed, nobody on that list can run like Jalen can. But his biggest negative is that he doesn't use his feet enough."

McCarron added that, from his experience as a player, he can tell that Milroe isn't comfortable being in the pocket and instinctively wants to run.

The panel agreed that if DeBoer is looking for a pocket passer and the team is in a rebuilding year, the coach should consider starting Simpson over Milroe.