Jake Butt calls for Michigan to change quarterbacks, urging Bryce Underwood to be benched

Michigan’s bye week has done what bye weeks often do in Ann Arbor, it has turned a roster question into a spotlight. In an interview-style discussion published Monday, former Wolverines tight end Jake Butt pushed for an immediate change at quarterback, saying Michigan should bench Bryce Underwood and start freshman Tommy Carr next.

Butt’s argument was framed as an effort problem as much as a performance problem. He pointed to Michigan’s look against Minnesota on film and criticized what he described as a lack of effort, arguing that the fix has to start with the player he views as the offense’s central decision-maker.

The timing matters because Michigan’s week off arrived with Penn State next on the horizon. With the Wolverines preparing for a high-profile opponent, Butt’s comments added volume to an already active quarterback debate, giving a recognizable former player a public, direct recommendation rather than a general evaluation.

There is still a major caveat: Butt’s position reflects what he wants, not what Michigan has confirmed it will do. A quarterback change at this stage would be a personnel and leadership decision, and coaches typically weigh practice performance, game-to-game preparation, and how a new starter affects the rest of the offensive scheme, not just one former player’s read on film.

Even with that uncertainty, the substance of Butt’s critique suggests what he believes is missing from the offense: energy, urgency, and execution. By directing his attention to Underwood and proposing Carr as an answer, he effectively argued that quarterback play can be a lever for overall offense tempo and team identity.

For fans, the next development will be simple to track. Michigan’s public practice posture and any depth-chart indications in the buildup to Penn State will be the clearest evidence of whether Butt’s view is shared inside the program, or whether it remains a public dissent from an influential alumni voice.