Payton Thorne will forever be blamed for Hugh Freeze's first two seasons as the Auburn football program's head coach. Especially if the Tigers turn it around in 2025, though possibly as a cope for Freeze's failures even if they continue beyond Thorne's Plains departure.
Former Florida Gator Chris Doering evoked Thorne's name to explain why Auburn underperformed in 2023 and 2024.
“I think Coach Freeze has been getting unnecessary criticism in the off-season. Everybody's worried about the 2026 signing class. I mean, we're in July right now. It doesn't matter until the 11th or 12th hour when they sign the paper," Doering said during his recent appearance on the "McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning."
“I think he needs to be criticized for not going out and doing something in the portal last year and riding Payton Thorne.
“They made a good move with Jackson Arnold, and I'm excited to see what he can do in this offense."
The timing of Doering's shot wasn't ideal. Thorne's father was diagnosed with cancer over the weekend.
Not only was the timing bad, but the content of Doering's statement was too.
Thorne was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals and has stuck with the team since. He may not make the final 53-man roster come late August, but Thorne is proving he has glimpses of NFL talent.
Freeze didn't come close to scratching the surface on it. He can blame Philip Montgomery or his own hire of his long-time right-hand man, Derrick Nix all he wants, but failing another quarterback would likely be the end of his time in Lee County, Alabama.
It's too bad the narrative never pins the blame on the Oxford, Mississippi, native. Perhaps Thorne will be vindicated soon enough.