Brent Venables made it very clear he wants one starter back in 2026 even after the terrible season he just had
Brent Venables and the Sooners would love to have John Mateer back in 2026.
It’s clear that Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer did not have the 2025 season he had hoped for. Surely head coach Brent Venables thinks the same; however, Venables does believe Mateer will be better in 2026. Venables obviously wants him back for next season, too.
Brent Venables wants John Mateer back in 2026
Mateer could decide to go to the 2026 NFL Draft if he wanted to. Mateer would be drafted, likely as a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick. If he stays in college playing one more year, and he has a better year in 2026 than he did in 2025, Mateer could easily be a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Not only is that a reason Mateer should go back, but Venables wants him back, too. Venables wants a second consecutive year with the same QB and offensive scheme.
“He’s a warrior,” Venables told reporters after the loss to Bama. “He’s got everything you want in a competitor and a leader and a quarterback… He was determined (to play after the injury)… I think you saw glimpses of how special he can be all season long… If we would’ve played a little better on defense and on special teams, we’d be up here talking about how good he played and won us the game.”
Venables played one of his best games of the season against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Outside of the pick six, which you could argue is not his fault, Mateer showed flashes of what everyone thought he would be. His return is a bit controversial among the fan base, as some want him back and others don’t.
Mateer played most of the season with a hurt hand, yes. However, almost none of his issues this season had to do with the health of his throwing hand. Most of these issues were all IQ or mental-related, in that he couldn’t read the game well enough, or that he was too caught up in his own head.
If Mateer is going to come back in 2026 and be that bridge quarterback for 2026 freshman Bowe Bentley, he will have to improve his IQ massively.
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