The New York Jets are once again staring down the barrel of a quarterback conundrum. With the 2027 NFL Draft looming, the franchise finds itself in a familiar spot-searching for a long-term answer under center.
After Dante Moore opted to return to school, the Jets’ potential options at the position narrowed significantly. That’s where Alabama’s Ty Simpson enters the conversation.
Mock draft chatter is already heating up, and one of the most recognizable voices in the game, Mel Kiper Jr., has thrown his weight behind Simpson as a potential fit for the Jets at No. 16 overall-a pick they acquired from the Colts in the Sauce Gardner trade. Kiper isn’t just floating Simpson’s name; he’s actively defending the Crimson Tide quarterback from critics who’ve zeroed in on his inconsistencies and limited résumé.
Let’s break this down.
Why Simpson? Why Now?
Simpson’s draft stock is a bit of a rollercoaster. On one hand, he’s got the traits that NFL evaluators covet: a live arm, sharp accuracy between the numbers, and the ability to create plays off-script. He flashed all of that in a difficult situation at Alabama, where he was often running for his life behind a shaky offensive line and working without much of a ground game to lean on.
But there are red flags. Simpson has just 15 career starts, and his performance dipped late in the season, raising questions about whether he was simply feasting on weaker competition early on. His poise under pressure remains a work in progress, and physically, he checks in with average measurables by NFL standards.
Still, Kiper sees value. He’s argued that Simpson’s struggles were more about the environment around him than the quarterback himself. And that’s not hard to believe-Alabama was far from the juggernaut we’ve come to expect in recent years.
Jets’ QB Landscape: Thin Ice
The Jets' quarterback room is in dire need of stability. With Aaron Glenn now leading the charge and the team still reeling from years of inconsistency at the position, the pressure is on to find a solution-fast.
The free-agent market isn’t exactly overflowing with promise either. Veterans like Marcus Mariota headline a group that offers experience but little upside.
And while the 2027 draft class includes a clear-cut No. 1 in Fernando Mendoza, the depth behind him is shaky at best. If the Jets pass on Simpson now, they could be left scrambling again next year-especially if the next class doesn’t live up to the early hype.
Sound familiar? Jets fans were told to wait for a “stronger class” last year, only to watch that narrative collapse by draft season.
The Risk and the Reward
Taking Simpson at 16 would be a swing-not necessarily a home run swing, but certainly a calculated cut at solving the team’s most persistent problem. If he hits, the Jets may finally have their guy. If he doesn’t, the consequences could be far-reaching, especially for a coaching staff and front office that can’t afford many more misfires.
This is more than just a quarterback decision. It’s a referendum on the direction of the franchise. The Jets need a spark, and Simpson offers just enough intrigue to be that spark-if they’re willing to take the gamble.
And let’s be honest: in today’s NFL, if you don’t have a quarterback, you don’t have a chance. The Jets know that better than most.