Why are we accepting as fact that Evers is only starting due to NIL? Four weeks ago no one wanted to see Fagnano take another meaningful snap at UConn.
Evers won the job and at the open practice at least looked better than Fagnano. Heck after that practice many were clamoring for Welliver to be the starter because of how well he did against the second defense. Fagnano played very well against an overmatched FCS team. He was ok against the Maryland backups.
Evers had a tough time on the road with the Maryland starters. He looked improved on the road against Duke generating enough offense to give the team a chance (and I don’t think people are giving enough credit for his threat as a runner helping to open up lanes for Edwards as you couldn’t sell out that he wouldn’t pull it).
I believe the coaching staff, whose compensation and retention is based on success on the field, is selecting the players they feel give the team the best chance to win. No surer way to lose the locker room (and the season) then to intentionally start a player the team thinks is inferior (or lacks confidence in) for any reason (money or otherwise).
History is littered with backups having a good performance, particularly against lessor competition. Fagnano was great against Merrimack and his performance, in that game, was the best in game performance of our QBs this year. That does not necessarily mean that he gives the team the best chance of victory against FAU (or against Duke).
I believe the coaches are picking the player they feel gives the team the best chance to win… not in some fan generated conspiracy that the starter is only the starter due to NIL dollars.