What’s Wrong With Gunner Stockton?” DawgNation Implodes Over Georgia QB’s Alarming Performance and Kirby’s Strange Play-Calling

On the latest episode of DawgNation Daily, host Brandon Adams took fans on a rollercoaster breakdown of everything that went wrong—and just barely right—for Georgia football during their most recent performance. The episode was raw, passionate, and most importantly, brutally honest about what many fans are now calling one of the most confusing offensive displays of the Kirby Smart era. At the center of the controversy? Quarterback Gunner Stockton. The once-hyped signal caller is now under the microscope after a performance that left more questions than answers.

Despite the Dawgs coming out with a win, this game did little to settle the nerves of a fanbase already wary of cracks in what has long been considered a bulletproof program. Gunner Stockton’s outing was far from what fans were expecting when he took the reins of the offense. Instead of poise and production, Stockton’s day was marked by hesitation, missed reads, awkward footwork, and a glaring lack of command in the pocket. While some apologists point to the offensive line struggles or the game plan itself, DawgNation Daily pulled no punches in highlighting that, regardless of circumstance, the quarterback play simply has to be better.

Brandon Adams posed the critical question everyone’s been afraid to ask: is Gunner Stockton actually ready to lead this team? That question alone has sent ripples through the Georgia community. This was supposed to be a seamless continuation of dominance—another handoff from one elite quarterback era to the next. But the reality is beginning to look a lot messier. For all of Stockton’s physical tools, there was an undeniable sense that the moment was too big for him on Saturday. He looked more like a backup thrown into the fire than the chosen heir to a championship program.

Equally perplexing was the offensive game plan. Georgia leaned heavily on screens and RPOs (run-pass options), a departure from their usual balanced attack. It was an offense seemingly built to protect a quarterback who the coaches didn’t fully trust to make decisions downfield. Instead of opening up the playbook and testing the opposing defense, Georgia’s offense shrunk. It felt hesitant. Conservative. Vanilla. And it begged the question—what exactly are Kirby Smart and Mike Bobo seeing in practice that gives them confidence Stockton can lead this team when it matters most?

Fans and analysts alike were left scratching their heads. Why so many screens? Why so little vertical attack, especially with the array of weapons Georgia has at receiver and tight end? The Dawgs weren’t just playing not to lose—they were playing not to expose Stockton. That’s a troubling narrative for a team that claims to be a national title contender.

Then came the update on Georgia’s offensive line, and things started to make a bit more sense—though not in a good way. Injuries, inconsistency, and lack of cohesion have plagued the line, turning what was once considered a major strength into a serious liability. The protection issues have clearly impacted play-calling, forcing Bobo to rely on quick-developing plays and screen passes just to keep Stockton upright. But even then, Stockton’s internal clock seemed off, and his processing speed just wasn’t where it needed to be.

Former UGA All-American Jon Stinchcomb joined the show later to lend his perspective, and while his analysis was measured, it was impossible to ignore the concern in his tone. Stinchcomb echoed many of the same points Adams made—namely that this offense looks like it’s being held back by uncertainty at the quarterback position. He acknowledged the growing pains that come with transitioning QBs but also stressed that Georgia doesn’t have time for patience if it wants to stay in the playoff hunt. Every snap matters, and right now, Stockton isn’t delivering what this team needs.

There’s also the matter of body language, and it wasn’t good. From the first snap, Stockton looked like a quarterback trying not to make a mistake instead of a quarterback trying to make a play. That’s not the mentality that wins SEC championships. Whether it’s nerves, confidence, or discomfort with the system, something is clearly off. And until that’s fixed, Georgia’s ceiling takes a massive hit.

Adding to the pressure, Georgia’s fanbase is not known for their tolerance of mediocrity. With expectations sky-high and two national titles still fresh in memory, Dawg Nation isn’t going to sit idly by while the offense sputters under the leadership of a quarterback who hasn’t yet proven he can handle the moment. This isn’t a rebuilding year. This isn’t a transitional season. This is a reload-and-go-win-another-ring campaign. And anything short of that will be considered failure.

The uncomfortable reality is that if Gunner Stockton can’t get it together quickly, the noise around the quarterback room is going to intensify. Whether it’s calls for a benching, a transfer portal solution, or even a true freshman getting reps, fans will demand change if production doesn’t follow potential. Fair or not, that’s the Georgia standard now.

Brandon Adams closed the episode with a challenge—not to the fans, but to the coaching staff. He urged them to stop playing scared. Stop hiding the quarterback behind screens and checkdowns. Open up the offense and see what Stockton can really do. Because the worst thing this team can do is go into the heart of SEC play still unsure of what it has under center. The longer they wait to find out, the higher the risk of getting burned when it matters most.

DawgNation Daily wasn’t doom-and-gloom. There’s still belief in this team. There’s still belief in Kirby Smart. But the performance on Saturday set off alarms—and for good reason. It wasn’t just one bad drive or one bad throw. It was a pattern of confusion, caution, and misfires that looked nothing like championship football.

Gunner Stockton might still turn the corner. He might grow into the role and make this whole conversation irrelevant in a few weeks. But right now, he’s under the microscope. And unless things change fast, the noise is only going to get louder.