It’s decision time for Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson. Does he come back for his senior season in Ann Arbor, or head off to the NFL?

Arguments can be made both ways as to what’s best for Patterson, but, quite frankly, there’s only one person whose opinion matters here, and that’s Patterson’s.

It’s always difficult to have the “what’s best” conversation, because there are many issues at play, all at the same time. For Michigan, the team certainly would benefit from Patterson returning and the Wolverines, with him in the fold, would certainly be a top-10 team next year that would have playoff aspirations.

For Patterson, the biggest question is determining if he’s ready for the NFL, and how valuable he is to NFL scouts. How high would he be drafted this year? How much higher might he be drafted next year if he has a solid 2019 season?

This much we know about Patterson. He loves it at Michigan and he had the time of his life playing in 2018, which was something of a surprise after the NCAA allowed him to play immediately after transferring from Ole Miss.

“I’ve had the most fun ever in my football career, so far, suiting up here at Michigan,” Patterson said earlier this week. “It’s been such an honor to do it. I think there’s a lot more to be done. But right now I’m just so excited to try to get one more win, possibly finish in the top five in the country. I think that’d be big for us.

“Then I’ll discuss (my future) further down the road with coach Harbaugh and my family.”

The consensus seems to be that Patterson isn’t a first-round pick right now. Michigan lists him as 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, and the NFL usually likes its quarterbacks bigger than that. He also plays small, with questionable footwork and a less-than-upright throwing motion.

But he’s also good on the run and very intelligent, so there’s that, too.

“I think, from an evaluation standpoint, he has enough tools and he’s a smart enough quarterback and that could really help him. He could push up through the (draft) process,” NFL draft analyst Matt Miller told the Detroit Free Press.  “You’re going to test well, you’re going to interview well. You could probably push yourself up throughout. I think he’s a Day 2 type quarterback (if he goes) right now, I’m not sure he’s getting into that first round grade.

“And he might never get one. I’ve advised a lot of quarterbacks over the years and that’s the thing. It’s ‘you’re probably not a No. 1 next year either, so look at the group you’re in.’ That’s one reason why he could jump. But he won’t get taller, probably not much faster. … He’ll be 22 in about a month, that can play into it. He kind of is who he is and that’s not a bad thing.”

It does help Patterson’s case that smaller quarterbacks like Russell Wilson and Baker Mayfield are having success in the league. But quarterbacks are over-analyzed in this process, and there are a lot of things those two guys do that Patterson doesn’t, at least not yet..

“It wasn’t that long ago people were like ‘Baker Mayfield’s not getting any taller,’ but then he comes back and just dominates as a senior,” Miller said. “He’d have been a Day 3 pick had he come out as a junior. But he comes back, ends up being No. 1. So there is some of that thought process, I think, out there.

“Another year of coaching can’t hurt. From a tools perspective, (Patterson) is who he is. But getting smarter, more efficient and growing as a player — those are the reasons you’d point to for coming back.”

Patterson has said they he will talk with Harbaugh and his parents soon, either before their Dec. 29 bowl game with Florida, or soon thereafter.

The biggest thing in Michigan’s favor is that Patterson really does love it there. The loss to Ohio State ended a dream season, and it seems like Patterson has a sense of having some unfinished business.

The edge seems to be that he returns to Michigan, but if he decides to go, you can’t fault him either. It’s his choice, and his choice only.