Harbaugh sees both Patterson and McCaffery playing, "redefining what a starter is"

Huh?  Tebow averaged 300+ passes his next 3 seasons in college. 

Move him to Tight End

Fair points, as you always make. Obviously I was not one of those who thought Milton would pass McCaffery, nor was I one who thought McCaffery would pass Shea.

Given the history of QB's with accuracy issues my thinking was that Milton won't be beating him out in 2020 and McCaffery is going to be the starter for two years ('20 and '21) unless he leaves early of course. McCaffery will have had a year of back-up experience ('18) and another year of, alleged, split time in 2019. Really hard to beat out a guy like that. Yes, small sample size for McCaffery but in his limited actual game experience (and pedigree) he's given us pretty solid indication he will continue to improve.

Maybe Milton is cool with sitting for three more years and then heading into his RS Sr as the man. It has happened many times before, but in this day and age it seems unlikely. I don't discount the fact that he could very well be the exception to the rule, this is Michigan after all and not the SEC. But with guys like JJ McCarthy breathing down his neck it was something that popped into my head as a realistic possibility - not a foregone conclusion.

I just don't see him beating out McCaffery is what it comes down to. It's rare to see a QB with accuracy issues suddenly turn it around. Yes, it HAS happened but the odds are not in his favor. I recognize that I absolutely could be VERY wrong and maybe he does stay or could even beat out McCaffery and hold off JJ McCarthy and others. 

That said, as you mentioned injuries are common and do change the entire landscape and yes, we could see a split with Milton and McCaffery as well. I didn't mean to come across as though I'm completely writing off Milton's chances, but the odds certainly are not in his favor. 

To address another comment on how Milton was 'more' accurate than Shea in the spring game I'll say this.. it was very small sample size in a scrimmage. I take spring game performances (good or bad) with a huge grain of salt. 

Regardless of who our QB is/are the next few years we look to be in phenomenal shape at that position. I think we can all agree on that.

Someone is likely going to transfer.

QBs, like all football players...want to play. However there is only one ball and generally no rotation even close to a 50/50 split.

I'm not talking about accuracy issues. I didn't bring that up. 

I'm just using logic the same way it made sense for Brandon Peters to transfer. Who, IMO was the #3 QB last year for most of the year if it came to it. But we went with #4 Milton in games to get him his 4.

Also, I never had Milton had of McCaffrey. I thought that was fabricated to an extent. Milton was going to get his 4 games and that was that.

Speaking of which. If you have 2 QBs the way Harbaugh says we do...and there is limited mop up time. What if we end up doing the same thing with McNamara? Getting him his 4 games even if he's the clear #4. Milton becomes the Peters at #3 and McNamara becomes the '18 Milton as the freshman #4 QB who has to get 4 "free" games in for experience.

So the thought process is pretty much the exact same one that JUST played out.

Also, I didn't say Milton is or even SHOULD transfer. I said I'd be somewhat shocked if he didn't. That's not over my skies...that's not even a prediction.

Flip the words. "I wouldn't be surprised if he did transfer." Does that work better?

I bet if you polled this board, I wouldn't be close to the only one with that opinion. 

For the record, I hope he's the second coming of Cam Newton.