I think that you might be shocked to find out that you don't always get game-changing talent at the QB. We certainly went through QB problems, got lucky on Bennett, and now Beck is working out. But you need to be able to coach around the limitations. He was good enough to get you guys into the CFP with 12 teams. Do you really want to chance that you can solve that problem in the portal? I mean it's not like portal QBs always work out.
He was decent enough for the team to win games in a relatively ugly fashion. Also keep in mind that he had the best WR corps in the nation to throw to and he had (probably) an NFL tight end.
The O-Line had issues all year long, but a "good" college QB would have put up much larger numbers than he ever did. Taking their previous QB final seasons
McCord - 3,100 yards, 24 TDs and 6 INTs. No running threat at all, -65 yard rushing tally due to sacks and no TDs.
Stroud - 3,688 yards, 41 TDs and 6 INTs. Minimal running threat, 108 yards no TDs.
Fields - 2,100 yards, 22 TDs and 6 INTs. Dangerous rushing threat, 383 yards and 5 TDs. (in only 8 games, he produced roughly 2x those TD numbers the previous year in a full season).
Dwayne Haskins - 4,831 yards, 50! TDs and 8 INTs. Minimal running threat but 108 yards and 4 TDs
JT Barrett - 3,053 yards, 35 TDs and 9 INTs. Dangerous running threat, 798 yards and 12 TDs. (injury shortened season)
McCord was fine, not great, sometimes good. An above average college QB but was by far the worst of the past 5 QBs the Buckeyes have had. Though the systems have changed a bit between JT Barrett and this year, the overall talent level around the QB has been relatively the same. A GOOD QB with the weapons Ohio State has on offense would have put up much larger numbers.