Aidan Chiles developing into the leader that Michigan State football needs

Projected QB1 Aidan Chiles is developing into a leader before our eyes and he’s becoming just what Michigan State football needs.

Projected Michigan State football starting quarterback Aidan Chiles kicked off spring practice this week and spoke to the media on Tuesday. Chiles noted how easy the transition was to East Lansing with the help of his parents and head coach Jonathan Smith.

The star gunslinger also noted how important it was for him to know every player on the team and who they were as a person. Often times, there are position groups that don’t interact much and some relationships can be thin especially given the number of players on a typical college football roster.

On the topic of building relationships, Chiles did something recently that we never really saw in college football prior to the NIL and transfer portal era:  He took his offensive line out to a steak dinner to Capital Prime in Lansing.

Here's what Aidan Chiles had to say after practice today about taking the offensive lineman to Capital Prime in Lansing.

"I take pride in knowing all my teammate's names and knowing who they are as people." https://t.co/L0Vm6BYP1v pic.twitter.com/DHuxEVDeaW

— Ian Kress (@ian_kress) March 26, 2024

The relationship a quarterback has with his offensive line is arguably his most important. In the NFL, it’s commonplace for a franchise quarterback to acknowledge his teammates who block for him with gifts or trips. This past offseason, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff gifted his linemen with Breitling watches worth up to $11,500 each.

In the NIL era, Chiles almost certainly received financial incentives to follow his head coach to East Lansing. With the quarterback being the most valuable position on the football field, it’s refreshing to see him pass along some of his financial benefits to other players on the team. Especially a position group as important as the offensive line.

MSU Football’s projected starting offensive line includes the likes of Geno VandeMark, Brandon Baldwin, Tanner Miller, and Luke Newman. All weighing in north of 300-plus pounds, I’m sure each of them can put back their fair share of steak.

I bet the bill wasn’t friendly, but I’m sure the future superstar quarterback didn’t mind treating his guys to a great meal.