Payton Thorne undermines Hank Brown amidst Auburn football QB controversy

Payton Thorne offered fellow Auburn football QB Hank Brown passive aggressive advice when asked what words of wisdom he'd provide the redshirt freshman during a media scrum. Very passive aggressive advice.

“I’m gonna be talking to him about staying off his phone, quite honestly," Thorne said when asked what advice he'd give Brown (h/t The Next Round). One media member looked shocked he'd say such a thing until he followed that up by saying he doesn't want Brown looking at social media and what people are saying.

Clearly, though, Thorne doesn't care much about being a mentor to Brown. Thorne said what he did with a cold look on his face; seemingly frustrated that the spotlight was now on Brown, who took over his starting job under center. Brown started in Week 3 and 4 against New Mexico and Arkansas, respectively, but was pulled against the Hogs after throwing three interceptions.

It looks like Thorne will be back as QB1 moving forward, though.

Hugh Freeze hints that Payton Thorne can be Auburn football's QB1 after Hank Brown's disasterclass against New Mexico

Hugh Freeze's postgame comments after the 24-14 loss to Arkansas at Jordan-Hare Stadium seem to indicate that Thorne will remain the starting QB moving forward. Freeze was impressed with Thorne's clean-up efforts and even complimented his Auburn career thus far.

“I thought it was a good ball,” Freeze said on the interception (h/t per AL.com). “We made the right read. Have to catch that one. Payton’s played solid.

“He’s done it before. He’s played in these type of environments. Payton’s played well to this point. We just have to catch the football when we have wide-open guys running. We haven’t executed today and turned it over near about every possession we’ve had.”

By and large, Tiger fans will be far from thrilled with this development. Freeze has seemingly tethered his tenure on the Plains to Thorne and owns a 3-6 record in SEC play through Week 4 of the 2024 season.