Last season, Auburn football finished 5-7, missing out on a bowl appearance for the second time in three years. The 2024 season marked the first time since the late 1990s that Auburn failed to reach at least two bowl games in a three-year span. Over the past two seasons, the Tigers have posted an 11-14 record and ranked outside the top 70 nationally in points per game both years.
Former Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne led the offense from 2023 to 2024 after transferring to Auburn, coming off a 19-touchdown, 11-interception season with the Spartans. Thorne struggled significantly in his first year on the Plains but bounced back in 2024, posting a career-high 150.8 passer rating.
After going undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, Thorne signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent. He joins a quarterback room featuring superstar Joe Burrow, along with Logan Woodside and Jake Browning.
In 2024, Thorne threw for 2,713 yards, 21 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while rushing for 283 yards and three scores. However, in SEC play, he managed just 11 touchdowns and five picks across eight games, leaving many Auburn fans frustrated with his performance.
Following his signing with Cincinnati, Auburn fans voiced strong reactions. Some harshly criticized Thorne, with one fan remarking, “Cincy playing chess, not checkers. Start Thorne next season and you clinch the #1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. Genius move.” Another added, “He’s y’alls problem now, Cincy. Good luck.” A third joked, “Haven’t the Bengals suffered enough?”
However, not all feedback was negative. One fan expressed appreciation, saying, “One thing I’ll always be grateful to Payton Thorne for is helping expose the worst parts of the Auburn fanbase. Makes it easier to move on from them.”
