Jim Harbaugh has named Michigan’s starting quarterback for the season opener. However, there’s a catch.

In a statement released on Twitter Saturday afternoon, Harbaugh named Cade McNamara the Wolverines starter against Colorado State. McNamara got the nod over JJ McCarthy. However, Harbaugh threw a wrinkle in the announcement and said that McCarthy will start the second game against Hawaii.

“We have made a decision,” the statement read. “Both quarterbacks have played great – done everything they could have and, in every way, to win the starting job. Coming out of camp, I just feel we have two quarterbacks, Cade McNamara and JJ McCarthy, that we feel very confident that we can win a championship with either of those two behind center.

“It’s a great thing for our team but there’s only one ball and only one quarterback can be out there at a time. So we’re not ready to say who the starting quarterback is, but the decision that we have made is Cade McNamara will start the opener against Colorado State and JJ McCarthy will start the second ball game against Hawaii, and then after week two we will make a decision going into week three on the starter and backup.”

During the 2021 season, McNamara threw for 2,576 yards, 15 touchdowns and 6 INTs, while McCarthy threw for 516 yards, 5 touchdowns and 2 INTs. McCarthy also added 2 rushing touchdowns.

So, Harbaugh is essentially rewarding both quarterbacks for competing for the starting job this offseason.