Sophomore quarterback George MacIntyre started Tennessee’s 22-7 win against Texas A&M on Saturday, but he was replaced by Faizon Brandon in the second half after suffering a knee injury (which doesn’t appear to be serious).

It’s the second time this season that Vols head coach Josh Heupel has made a quarterback switch in an SEC game (the first time was when MacIntyre replaced Brandon in Tennessee’s win over Auburn).

MacIntyre and Brandon are both talented options who can be high-level quarterbacks in the SEC, but they’re also inexperienced, so there have been learning moments for both.

There was also some competitive tension between the two players going into the season (which is to be expected, to some extent, when players are competing for a job).

“It’s definitely very competitive between us two,” said Brandon before the season when asked about his relationship with MacIntyre. “There’s some things he can learn from me and I can learn from him. I take stuff from him and Ryan (Staub) all the time to apply it to my game because they do some great stuff, too. We talk in the facility. We have a pretty good relationship, but it’s competing at the end of the day. It’s nothing bad between us, though.”

MacIntyre made similar comments before the season.

“I think you definitely have to find a balance between it,” said MacIntyre when asked about balancing supporting teammates while knowing he’s trying to win the job. “I think we all know in the quarterback room what the vibe is and we’re going to support whoever’s out there on the field at that given time. I think we do a good job of supporting each other and supporting ourselves when we’re in.”

Heupel confirmed in early October, when he was asked how Brandon handled getting benched against Auburn, that the two quarterbacks aren’t necessarily hanging out away from the field.

“Those guys have been great together in the room,” said Heupel. “I’m not saying they’re the best of friends and hanging out outside of the building, but they have been really good inside the room, on the practice field, and on game day together. So I expect that to continue as we go.”

Faizon Brandon comments on his current relationship with George MacIntyre

Unsurprisingly, the relationship between Brandon and MacIntyre has improved as the season has gone along.

Brandon told reporters after the win against Texas A&M that he feels like his relationship with MacIntyre is “way better” now.

“I think we have a way better relationship now than we did back then,” said Brandon. “We talk a lot more. I feel like we’re a lot more connected and know that we need each other, so I find that’s how it is now.”

Both players are young and finding their way as college quarterbacks while competing for playing time. It was always going to be a little awkward at first.

But ultimately, it has to be all about the team before individual glory. And by the sound of Brandon’s comments, that’s the current vibe in Tennessee’s quarterback room. That’s obviously important because it’s clear that Tennessee needs both Brandon and MacIntyre to play well down the stretch in order to make the College Football Playoff and make some noise in the postseason.

And who knows, maybe the improved relationship will lead to both players returning to Tennessee in 2027 — because I certainly think that would be best for everyone (the quarterbacks, the program, and the fans).