Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer didn’t make excuses while he was dealing with a thumb injury last season. He played through it, tried to adapt, and kept the focus on the team.
Now that he’s healthy and preparing for 2026, he’s being more open about how much it actually impacted him.
Speaking on the See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack podcast, Mateer gave a straightforward assessment.
"It affected me a good amount," Mateer said. "I didn't say it at the time because I didn't want to do that. I didn't think that was right. But looking back, it changed a lot. You can imagine how much that would change what I had to do and adapt. But I'm back. I'm good now. Feeling good."
That tracks with what a lot of people suspected watching the games. Early in the year Mateer looked like one of the better quarterbacks in the country. He was making plays, pushing the ball downfield, and giving Oklahoma’s offense a different energy.
Once the thumb became an issue, everything looked harder. The ball didn’t come out the same way. Certain throws were more difficult. He had to change how he gripped the football and how he went about his progressions.
What stands out is that he refused to use it as a public talking point while the season was going on. A lot of players would have made sure everyone knew they were hurt. Mateer chose not to. He didn’t think it was the right approach, and he just tried to work through it.
That kind of quiet toughness is easy to respect, even if it meant the offense had to play through some clear limitations.
The injury didn’t just affect his throwing motion. It forced him to adapt in almost every part of his game. Timing with receivers, the ability to drive the ball into tight windows, and even the confidence to let it rip on certain throws all take a hit when you can’t grip the football normally.
Looking back, Mateer can see how much it changed what he was able to do. At the time, he just kept playing.
The good news is the recovery appears complete. Mateer has said repeatedly this offseason that he feels good, and the people around the program have echoed that. He’s put in the work to get his strength and mechanics back. The film study, the time spent with coaches, and the extra focus on details have all been part of trying to make sure last year’s physical limitations don’t carry over.
For Oklahoma, a healthy Mateer changes the ceiling of the offense. When he’s right, he can make the full range of throws and create plays when things break down. Last season the Sooners often had to play a more limited brand of offense once he was banged up. This year the hope is that he can stay healthy and play with the same aggressiveness he showed in those early games.
Mateer’s comments also give some context to the ups and downs the offense experienced. It wasn’t just schematic issues or lack of a run game, though those mattered too. The quarterback was performing through a significant physical handicap and choosing not to draw attention to it.
That makes the stretches where the offense still functioned even more impressive, and it makes the healthier version of Mateer more intriguing heading into the new season.He’s not dwelling on it now.
The quote ends on a simple note — he’s back and feeling good. That’s the only part that matters moving forward. The injury is part of last year’s story. The focus this fall will be on what a fully healthy Mateer can do over a full SEC schedule.
If he stays healthy and plays closer to the level he showed early in 2025, Oklahoma’s offense should look a lot more consistent. The supporting pieces around him are solid, and the experience of playing through adversity should only help.
Mateer doesn’t have to be perfect. He just has to be available and playing free again.