The first phase of the Tennessee football program’s 2026 offseason is in full swing with the Vols a few weeks into winter strength-and-conditioning workouts and spring practices still more than a month away. After a disappointing 8-5 season in 2025, it was an offseason of change for Tennessee heading into the first SEC nine-game schedule in 2026. With the Vols already working toward the fall every day, it’s a good time to assess the state of Tennessee’s roster and the outlook at each position.
That’s exactly what GoVols247 will do this month in its annual Offseason Outlook series, which will break down every position on the roster by examining who the Vols lost and who they have, the players who need to step up and the pressing question for each unit.
The series gets underway with the quarterbacks.
WHO’S GONE
The former Top247 prospect transferred to UConn after two seasons at Tennessee. Merklinger redshirted as a freshman third-stringer behind Nico Iamaleava and Gaston Moore in 2024 and, following Iamaleava’s spring departure, assumed the backup role after coming up well short in a preseason competition with Joey Aguilar. Merklinger appeared in just four games in 2025, playing well against East Tennessee State and not so well against UAB before brief cameos against Arkansas and New Mexico State.
In two seasons at Tennessee, Merklinger completed 19 of 33 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns.
WHO’S HERE
If Tennessee had a game on Saturday, Aguilar would be eligible to play in it after his lawsuit against the NCAA yielded a quick temporary restraining order. Of course, the Vols don’t play again for nearly seven months. Aguilar’s legal pursuit of another season of eligibility needs a favorable ruling in this week’s preliminary injunction hearing first, then to stand up to any NCAA appeal – or at least take long enough for him to suit up for the 2026 season.
Aguilar wouldn’t get a full offseason as he’s still recovering from surgery to remove a benign tumor in his arm, but it would still be much different than a year ago when he was fast-tracked into the starting role after the messy public split with Iamaleava in the spring. Despite the late arrival, his health situation and the newness of the offense around him, Aguilar still led the SEC in passing during the regular season and finished with 3,565 passing yards and 28 total touchdowns. If you’re wondering why Tennessee would want Aguilar back at the helm of a unit that returns eight starters from the SEC’s top scoring offense, that’s why.
Before the recent developments with Aguilar’s return attempt, the Vols looked poised for an intriguing offseason competition between MacIntyre and Brandon. After it swung and missed at some big-name transfer portal quarterbacks, Tennessee appeared to be content rolling with MacIntyre, a 2025 five-star when he committed, and Brandon, the No. 3 overall player in 2026. Staub, who started two games in three seasons at Colorado, was brought in as veteran depth.
WHO COULD STEP UP
For one reason or another, this is an important offseason for MacIntyre. The former Brentwood Academy standout redshirted during his first season at Tennessee, attempting just nine passes in his appearances against ETSU and New Mexico State, but before that he turned heads with what he showed in preseason camp. The Vols were pleased with his growth during his season even with decreased practice time, and they looked at Music City Bowl prep as a chance to get a head start on 2026.
It’s still unclear what this year might look like for MacIntyre.
If Aguilar gets another season of eligibility, the redshirt freshman’s focus becomes the No. 2 role. If Aguilar’s bid fails, then MacIntyre would appear to have the edge to be the starter. The importance of the latter is obvious, but even if MacIntyre winds up as Aguilar’s backup, he’ll need to be ready to step in at a moment’s notice due to injury (or legal action) and will want to still ready himself for a 2027 competition with Brandon, who by that point will have a year in the system and program as opposed to being new to it like he is now.
All of those potential outcomes have a common theme and that’s the importance of the offseason. Adding weight and strength still will be important for MacIntyre so he can handle the physical part of the position. There’s less questions about his quarterbacking ability, but he’s still a young player with limited experience who must continue to grow.
PRESSING QUESTION
Is it Aguilar back at the helm or a young talent leading Tennessee’s 2026 offense?
The answer to the question will be determined in the coming days and weeks by a court hearing and legal filings, and it will determine both the floor and the ceiling of Tennessee’s offense in 2026.
There are obvious benefits to Tennessee taking a 25-year-old returning starter at quarterback into the schedule that awaits the Vols in 2026. Aguilar might have his limitations, but it’s hard to ignore how he sparked the offense amid unique circumstances in 2025. Plugging him back into a lineup with a lot of familiar faces should have Tennessee scoring plenty of points (again) and playing with better consistency. He’s a known commodity, which will raise Tennessee’s floor and give the Vols more credibility around the SEC and nationally.
But if it’s not Aguilar, there’s the exciting – and daunting prospect – of playing a complete unknown at quarterback. Now, it’d be a very talented unknown, and either MacIntyre or Brandon would be surrounded by the kind of supporting cast that could help a young quarterback thrive. Tennessee’s ceiling very well could be higher with either young quarterback running the offense, but it would still be a big gamble.
Both outcomes have their pros and cons, but there probably isn’t an offseason storyline with greater ramifications for the Vols.