When Penn State came knocking on Nebraska’s door, hoping to lure Matt Rhule away from Lincoln, the Cornhuskers didn’t hesitate. They locked in their head coach with a new deal, signaling their commitment to the Rhule era.
But since that extension, things have taken a turn. Nebraska closed the season on a 2-4 skid, and to make matters worse, they lost star quarterback Dylan Raiola to a season-ending leg injury.
Now, Nebraska finds itself at a crossroads. Rhule is under contract through 2032, the program is reeling, and the quarterback who was supposed to be the face of the rebuild is reportedly on his way out.
For Nebraska fans, Raiola wasn’t just a five-star recruit - he was hope. A top-tier talent who chose to stay in-state and lead the charge back to national relevance. His departure leaves a massive hole, not just on the depth chart, but in the vision Rhule had been selling since his arrival.
So, where does Nebraska go from here?
There’s optimism around the 2026 recruiting class - Rhule has brought in some intriguing talent, and there’s belief that the long-term plan is still intact. But short-term, the quarterback situation is suddenly wide open. Enter TJ Lateef.
Lateef saw action this season after Raiola went down, and while he was thrown into the fire as a true freshman, he showed flashes. Now, with a full offseason ahead and a chance to work with the first-team offense, Lateef has an opportunity to grow into the role. He’s got the tools - the question is whether he can develop quickly enough to lead a team that’s still trying to find its identity.
The other path? The transfer portal.
Rhule could go shopping for an experienced signal-caller who can steady the ship in 2026. Given the volatility of the college football landscape and the number of quarterbacks hitting the portal each year, it’s a viable option - and one that may be necessary if Nebraska wants to stay competitive while grooming its young talent.
All of this brings us back to the extension.
When Nebraska handed Rhule a two-year bump - keeping him in Lincoln through 2032 - it was a clear message: this is our guy. The deal didn’t increase his base salary, but it did include incentives for College Football Playoff appearances and, perhaps most importantly, a larger buyout.
That last part is what has some fans nervous now. Because as much as Rhule’s vision made sense with Raiola at the helm, things look a lot murkier without him.
The timing of the extension raised eyebrows even then. Just days after it was signed, Nebraska lost to Minnesota.
Now, the Huskers are preparing for the Las Vegas Bowl against No. 15 Utah - a tough matchup under any circumstances, but especially with key injuries and players entering the portal.
Was the extension premature? That’s the question echoing around Lincoln right now.
And it’s one that won’t be fully answered until next season - or maybe even the one after that. But what’s clear is that the stakes have changed.
Rhule’s rebuild just got a lot more complicated, and the margin for error is shrinking.
The Raiola era in Nebraska may be over before it ever really began. Now it’s up to Rhule - and whoever takes the snaps next - to prove that the foundation is still strong, even if the blueprint needs adjusting.