According to a report from Pete Thamel, Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles is officially entering the NCAA transfer portal after a roller-coaster 2025 season in East Lansing. Following the firing of head coach Jonathan Smith and the hiring of Pat Fitzgerald, Chiles has decided to move on after losing his starting job midway through the year.
A Coaching Reset That Didn’t Include Chiles
The 2025 season pushed Michigan State into a complete reboot. After posting a 9–15 record over two seasons, MSU fired Jonathan Smith and hired longtime Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald to usher in a new era.
But for Aidan Chiles, that era won’t include him.
The junior quarterback will explore other opportunities as he enters the portal with one year of eligibility left.
A Season Full of High Hopes… and Hard Reality
Heading into the 2025 season, expectations for Chiles were massive. He had shown flashes the previous year and was named the starting quarterback with the belief that he could elevate Michigan State’s offense.
Instead, his season unraveled after a disappointing loss to Michigan, and he was benched in favor of freshman Alessio Milivojevic. Surprisingly, Milivojevic and Chiles ended up posting nearly identical passing stats.
Aidan Chiles’ 2025 Stats
- 128/203 (63.1%)
- 1,392 yards
- 10 TD, 3 INT
- 6.9 YPA
- 134.0 passer rating
- 21 sacks
Alessio Milivojevic’s 2025 Stats
- 111/173 (64.2%)
- 1,267 yards
- 10 TD, 3 INT
- 7.3 YPA
- 141.3 passer rating
- 16 sacks
In the end, production wasn’t the issue, separation was. Milivojevic brought slightly more efficiency and poise, and the staff rolled with him down the stretch.
What Chiles Brings to His Next Team
At just 20 years old, Chiles offers:
- Starting experience in a Power Five conference
- A strong arm and mobility
- Three seasons of live game reps
- Proven flashes of upside
Any program needing a veteran quarterback with athletic tools will find his profile intriguing.
He’ll have one year to make his mark, and landing in the right system will be critical.
What This Means for Michigan State
With Chiles departing, the Spartans appear set to move forward with Milivojevic as the likely QB1 entering Pat Fitzgerald’s first season. That could change if MSU adds a portal quarterback, but for now, the path is clear:
The future belongs to Milivojevic — and Fitzgerald’s new system.
Bottom Line
Aidan Chiles’ time at Michigan State never quite lived up to expectation, and the 2025 season only added to the turbulence. Now, with a new coaching staff in place and a new starting quarterback emerging, Chiles is choosing a fresh start.
For both sides, the timing makes sense.
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