In Indianapolis, there's no debate over who stands atop the 2026 NFL draft class. Fernando Mendoza's Heisman-winning season has solidified his status as the consensus No. 1 pick. But after Mendoza, the conversation gets interesting, and the New York Jets are right in the mix.
Alabama's Ty Simpson is widely regarded as the second-best quarterback available. Despite starting only one season, he led the Crimson Tide to the SEC Championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff. Now, Simpson is eager to demonstrate that he's more than what his 2025 season might suggest.
“I believe I’m a franchise quarterback,” Simpson confidently stated. “Alabama’s infrastructure really prepared me for the NFL.”
As a projected first-rounder, Simpson is on the radar of several quarterback-needy teams, with the Jets prominently interested.
Simpson’s Meeting with the Jets
Simpson revealed that he met with the Jets during the combine, highlighting discussions with offensive coordinator Frank Reich and head coach Aaron Glenn as pivotal. “I really love the Jets,” he shared. “If I get the opportunity to play in New York, they’re going to get the best Ty Simpson they can.”
At 23, Simpson knows there's room for growth after his sole season as a starter. He began strong but faced challenges with injuries and inconsistency down the stretch. Despite these hurdles, he often carried Alabama through tough games, dealing with dropped passes and shaky offensive line play.
Reflecting on his time at Alabama, Simpson expressed pride in his teammates, saying, “I’m really proud of the team. I love those guys and am proud to be a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide.”
Breaking Down Ty Simpson’s Draft Profile
Early in the 2025 season, Simpson was outperforming even Mendoza. However, injuries and inconsistent play took a toll. Yet, the allure for teams like the Jets lies in Simpson’s potential.
He shined in games against top-tier programs like Georgia and Tennessee, performances that elevated his draft stock. The main concern?
His limited game experience, having started just one full season. This puts him in a category with quarterbacks like Anthony Richardson and Mitch Trubisky, who faced similar scrutiny.
Despite the lack of starts, Simpson’s time running Alabama's scout team against elite defenders like Will Anderson and Brian Branch is invaluable. His 2025 film shows a quarterback comfortable in a pro-ready system, adept at setting protections and demonstrating top-tier footwork. Drops, rather than poor throws, contributed to his declining completion percentage.
As the draft approaches, the expectation is that Simpson will still be available when the Jets make their second first-round pick at 16th overall. With their meeting in Indianapolis complete, the Jets have more insight to determine if Simpson is their quarterback of the future.