Since it was learned Dante Moore would be staying in college for the 2026 season, the Jets’ quarterback approach for the upcoming draft has been a question mark. New York owns two first-round selections, but it remains to be seen if strong consideration will be given to using one of them on Ty Simpson.
The one-year Alabama starter has drawn a wide range of opinions regarding his draft stock, but interest has been shown by a number of teams. That includes the Jets, as illustrated by the workout Simpson recently conducted with the them. At this point, though, it may come as a surprise if Simpson were to wind up in New York.
During his latest appearance on Jets Final Drive, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic predicted the Jets will not select Simpson given the risk involved with doing so. New York could elect to wait until next year’s draft to identify a long-term starter. That is an approach expected of other teams as well with next year’s class held in much higher regard than this year’s. As such, a veteran backup to trade acquisition Geno Smith will be a strong possibility.
On that note, SNY’s Connor Hughes confirms (video link) the Jets’ preference was to sign Carson Wentz in free agency. Doing so would have reunited him with new offensive coordinator Frank Reich, but Wentz wound up remaining in place with the Vikings. The list of remaining free agents has been thinned out since the new league year began, but there are still a few veteran passers on the market.
Of those, Hughes names Cooper Rush as one to watch closely. The longtime Cowboys backup joined the Ravens on a two-year deal last spring, but things did not go according to plan during his time in the lineup. Rush was expectedly released in March, and he has not previously been linked to any suitors. The 32-year-old has made 16 starts and 42 appearances in his career, and he would be familiar with a backup gig in the event he signed on to be New York’s QB2.
Hughes adds that Tyrod Taylor is still well-liked in the Jets’ building. Another deal for the Jets’ 2024 and ’25 backup will be something to watch for as a result. Taylor, 36, made four starts last season following Justin Fields‘ benching; he has totaled 62 in his career. A low-cost contract allowing him to remain in the QB2 role would give New York a bridge tandem under center in advance of the 2027 draft.
Smith is in position to start for the Jets, something which was the case for his first two years in the NFL. How the team approaches the quarterback position over the coming weeks will be something to watch for, with a stopgap veteran seeming to be more likely than a high-profile draft investment at this point.
Only way Jets would draft Simpson in the first is
1. They traded back into the 1st round from 33
2. They trade back from 16 into the mid late 20s while acquiring more draft picks
Might as well wait to see if he falls to the 2nd round which Jets the first pick.
Simpson would have been a huge reach and not worth wasting another 1st round pick….better to spend their pics on roster improvement than a QB who would not even be in the top 5 in a normal QB draft…..
A reach at 2 and 16 sure
But trading up from 25 – 29 range from 33 isn’t that big of a jump and guarantees the 5th year option
Really the only reason to trade back into the late 1st is the 5th year option
Wish they’d trade with the Bears. Chicago’s first #25 for Jets second #33 and (2)fourths # 103 and 140?
Imagine wanting Cooper Rush….unironically.
More like having Rush fall into your lap … he did work wonders for Dallas when Dak was out injured.
I am less confused by why teams want Rush than I am by why the Ravens thought that he would fit their offense.
Simpson’s lack of experience really complicates his draft stock.
He needs to go in the first so the drafting team will secure his 5th year option. He is so green he will need more development than a typical first round QB.
But on the other hand he can’t go early in the first because he is not day 1 ready.
So you’re looking at end of the first, but now, likely one of the 3-4 QB-desperate teams needs to trade up from their 2nd rounder.
Profile is hard to gauge. I know he will be a first rounder but it could be anywhere between pick 16 and 32.
I usually don’t like the lack of starting experience in a quarterback (to me, it’s probably the most valuable thing on a singular basis that a QB can have), but innSimpson’s case, I’m not as worried as I was for Trubisky or Richardson or Lance (or some others). Simpson’s strengths are some of the same ones that translate well to the NFK-he processes well, he makes mostly good decisions, and he (usually) takes what the defense gives him. He wasn’t just a passenger on that team, which really helps him. Simpson also played in a tough conference, and led-not just played on-a good team that beat some tough competitors with an inconsistent defense.
I don’t think that he’s a sure thing-I really think that his career is one that will 100% depend on who he goes to and is coached by-but his skills translate well, at least on paper, to the pro game. He’s not supremely athletic like most one year starts who fail in the league, so he couldn’t use a magnificent arm or huge size or incredible speed to compensate for a lack of processing or leadership or what have you. Simpson isn’t really bad in any of those physical areas, he’s just not exceptional. I wouldn’t take him at two, but if the Jets want him, they should probably explore trading back to get picks and get him later on.
As far as the Jets go, it’s hard to see how they can’t improve in these next few years with all of the picks that they have, including the two this year. In my opinion, they’ll still be held back by an incompetent coach, but the roster really has to improve from here. Unless Mougey engineers a strikeout for the ages on these picks, it seems like New York is set up for the future, no matter what direction they pick in. We’ll see, but it’s hard to see how they couldn’t be better in these next few next two years.
He’ll never go in the 1st round…nobody is that QB hungry to waste a 1st round pick on a mediocre “makes pretty good decisions, no huge arm, no huge size, or good speed”….exactly what are you getting other than a clipboard QB who likely will not play in multiple seasons….
All due respect, but as a non-betting man, I will take that bet.
If you’re a GM, and you like the guy, then you draft the guy. If you’re a GM, and think the guy can be a franchise quarterback in the making, then you draft the franchise quarterback in the making.
There’s what, a 10% at best chance that this coaching staff is still in place after this season? Seems dopey to take an iffy QB prospect who needs to sit for a while when you might be bringing in a staff that didn’t like the guy. Mougey is taking the long-term approach. They have three first rounders in a better draft next year. They can take a midround swing this year, use their four top 40 picks to try to build the roster, and take their big QB swing next year.
Translation: Simpson has told NYJ he won’t report if selected.
Clearer translation…..the Jets don’t want him and he’d be incredibly lucky to get drafted after a mediocre career let alone start picking and choosing what team he goes to….