In a revealing interview at the NFL Combine, former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson shared an intriguing family connection that could influence his draft journey.
Simpson, widely regarded as the second-best quarterback prospect in this year's NFL Draft, faces a broad spectrum of potential landing spots. His performance at the Combine in Indianapolis will be pivotal in shaping his draft destiny come April.
With several teams on the hunt for a quarterback, Simpson is likely to be a first-round selection. The Cleveland Browns, in particular, are a team to watch. Despite having drafted Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders last season, and with significant financial commitments to Deshaun Watson-who missed the entire 2025 season due to an Achilles injury-the Browns might still consider Simpson with one of their first-round picks (Nos. 6 and 24).
A key factor in this possibility is Simpson's connection with the Browns' new head coach, Todd Monken. During Simpson's recruitment, Monken was the offensive coordinator at Georgia, but their ties run even deeper through Simpson's father.
"My dad and Coach Monken have a great relationship from his time coaching at Southern Miss," Simpson noted.
Monken, who served as Southern Miss's head coach from 2013 to 2015, shares an alma mater connection with Simpson's father, adding another layer to their relationship.
While this connection could steer Simpson towards Cleveland, it's important to consider the Browns' history with quarterbacks. The franchise has struggled to develop stable QB talent, as seen with Baker Mayfield, who found success with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after leaving Cleveland. Similarly, Sam Darnold rejuvenated his career with the Seattle Seahawks, leading them to a Super Bowl victory after departing the Jets.
Yet, Monken's track record with quarterbacks might provide a fresh start for Simpson and the Browns. If the stars align, Simpson could be the key to revitalizing the franchise and bringing them back into the spotlight.