After Fernando Mendoza hoisted the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy, leading Indiana to a thrilling 27-21 victory over Miami, his path to becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft seemed all but secured. Yet, there's a rising tide for Alabama's Ty Simpson, who is making a compelling case to be the first quarterback off the board. With an impressive junior season tallying 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just five interceptions, Simpson is catching the eyes of quarterback-needy teams.
This draft class may not be overflowing with elite quarterback talent, which puts Simpson in a prime position. Teams desperate for a franchise quarterback might just take the plunge on him. As his stock rises, it opens up a world of possibilities for Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles.
The Bears are keen on seeing Simpson succeed and go high in the draft. Why? Because if Simpson is snapped up early, it means more top-tier edge rushers, safeties, or left tackles could be available when Chicago makes its No. 25 pick.
Several teams, including the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, and Pittsburgh Steelers, might be on the hunt for their next quarterback. Any one of them could decide to roll the dice on the Alabama standout.
Should Simpson still be on the board late in the first round, right around the Bears’ pick, Chicago could find itself in a prime trade-down scenario. This would be an enticing prospect for Poles, given the depth of talent available on Day 2 of the draft.
With the Bears having some gaps to fill, accumulating more picks could be a strategic move for a team eager to compete immediately. Plus, any team trading up to snag Simpson in the first round gains the added bonus of a fifth-year option on his rookie contract-a highly coveted asset in today's NFL.