Even without Dan Orlovsky pouring fuel on the controversial fire, opinions on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson vary widely across a spectrum from people who believe he’s QB1 over Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza to people who see him going in the third round. 27 days until the opening night of the three-day event, teams only have a short time left to determine where Simpson will fall in the 2026 NFL Draft. 
Early on in his 2025 campaign with the Crimson Tide, Simpson looked to be taking the football world by storm as a first-year starter. As the season wore on, injuries seemed to contribute to some regression in his performance, leading to some concern about both his ability and durability. Early draft projections pegged Mendoza as the only likely Day 1 passer, but the need for a quarterback helped push Simpson’s name up into first-round consideration.
One popular projection saw Simpson going to the Steelers at 21st overall. On its surface, the move made sense, setting up the inexperienced starter to sit and learn for a year behind veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is widely expected to re-sign with Pittsburgh to play once again under new head coach Mike McCarthy. According to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, though, Simpson’s lack of starting experience “will almost certainly deter Pittsburgh from picking him up in the first round.”
If Simpson slips far enough, DeFabo thinks the Steelers could reconsider, but how far he needs to fall DeFabo isn’t ready to say. Former contributor at The Athletic Mark Kaboly, now a Steelers correspondent for The Pat McAfee Show, believes Pittsburgh may be targeting a third wide receiver behind D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman in the first three rounds, though he doesn’t feel confident Rodgers would get much contribution from a rookie pass catcher, given his preference to target more-polished veterans.
For Simpson, though, even today, ESPN’s trio of Matt Miller, Jordan Reid, and Field Yates illustrated beautifully the array of opinions on Simpson. Asked what percentage chance Simpson has of going on Day 1, Miller answered 25%, Reid said 75%, and Yates opted for 90%. All three contributors for the network seemed to agree that, with the current draft order, no team makes sense for Simpson at their current draft position, but Reid and Yates answered with the belief that a team that is a good fit would find a way to trade back into the first round to secure his services, namely the Cardinals.
Jeff Howe of The Athletic attended Simpson’s pro day and noted that teams do like what they see. Specifically, Simpson’s intangible qualities seem to be a big selling point with some commenting that Simpson could eventually coach after his career as a player ends. His pro comps to two 26-year-olds even highlight his lack of experience and uncertain draft stock. He’s been comped to Bo Nix, a new starter in the NFL, and Brock Purdy, who was drafted 250 picks later than Nix was in their respective drafts.
Whatever the case, Simpson will almost certainly find his way to the NFL within the next 30 days. It will be fascinating to see what further developments alter opinions on the 23-year-old leading up to the draft.
I actually like Simpson a lot. Most 1 year starters are picked bc of their physical traits/upside. Think A Rich, Trey Lance types. Hence the high miss rate.
Simpson has had good coaching in college and his dad is a coach. He makes his progressions quickly and is accurate, two important qualities that translate to the NFL.
Not saying he’s for sure going to hit but I certainly think he has a chance to be good.
He was on par with Mendoza until a back injury in midseason.
Id be very happy with him on the steelers but dont think he’ll make it to 21
Looking like the jets will take him at 2
There’s 0 chance he goes to the Jets at #2
Jets have multiple first round picks I could see him picked from the 15-25 range like Jordan love but if Simpson goes to the jets he will be the next Sam Darnold/Zach Wilson bust
Nah cuz cardinals are gonna take him at 3 if not
There’s 0 chance the cardinals will be taking Ty at #3…the more guesses you make sooner or later you might be right
Jets most definitely will NOT select him at 2…Zach Wilson is too fresh in their memory….I would look at the Cardinals in round 2….but don’t sleep on Cleveland selecting him if he falls in range at 24
Any Bama QB can beat up D2 teams. He choked against SEC teams.
The only SEC team that Simpson threw for under 200 yards against last year was Auburn, and he threw three touchdowns with no interceptions in that game. He went for 300+ against Vanderbilt and Oklahoma, which were both ranked. He only threw INTs against Georgia, Oklahoma and Vanderbilt (one each; all ranked teams). Against Georgia, arguably Simpson’s worst game outside of Indiana, Simpson threw for a respectable 212 yards with a TD and INTs, with an uncharacteristically low 48% completion rating.
Overall, he’s 7-2 versus the SEC as a starter. Alabama also didn’t win those games with defense. I’d say that pretty good, actually.
It’s obvious pundits are being paid by players agents nowadays. Push certain players, disparage others.
Well here’s the answer. And even crazier than what you said it’s gone a step further. Dan Os agent is the SAME agent as Ty Simpson
Anyone who takes him in the first round is a sucker. Why do teams keep taking developmental QBs in the first round? Answer: desperation. Simpson is going to need at least 2 years to sit and watch and develop. We’ve seen too many of these developmental guys without enough starting experience in college get overdrafted and become busts. This is a draft with a lot of impact players on defense that can help teams win next season and not 3 years from now. I’m not saying he doesn’t have talent and potential, but it’s not worth investing in until the bottom half of the second round at the earliest.
I’ll give you another answer, 5th year option. They look at that 5th year first round option like it’s a gold bar. Teams feel that if they have found a winner they get that one extra year at a lower salary before having to pay him. In reality if you find that Josh Allen they always end up extending them at a market salary before the 5th year kicks in anyway.
So to your point, it’s stupid to reach for a developmental QB in the 1st round just to get that 5th year option.
More highly regarded than Bart or Homer.
Here’s the answer guys-
Ty Simpson and Dan Orlovsky share the same agent. All smoke from Dan.
Why Orlovsky is a paid pundit and considered an “expert” is beyond me? Being a UConn grad and his off field life is probably why he has a job to begin with at what used to be an actual sports network and is now a hollow shell of what it use to be.
Arizona Cardinals- 2nd round pick