Ty Simpson said he is a “franchise quarterback.”
But is that franchise the Jets?
The Jets hold four of the top-44 picks in the NFL Draft, including No. 2, No. 16 and No. 33.
While the expectation is that they will be choosing between pass-rushers David Bailey, Arvell Reese and Ruben Bain Jr. at No. 2, the search for their new hope at starting quarterback could lead to Simpson as early as No. 16.
“If I get the opportunity to play in New York,” Simpson told reporters Friday at the NFL Combine, “they’re going to get the best Ty Simpson.”
The best Simpson was on display early in his only season as a starter at Alabama.
His play tailed off toward the end of the 2025 season, but he still entered the draft and is the consensus No. 2 quarterback available behind projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.
The Jets met with Simpson during the Combine.
“I’m ready. I’m a franchise quarterback,” Simpson said. “Alabama prepares you most for the NFL. I’ve run an NFL-type system. It definitely prepared me for saying those long play calls, saying those checks, making sure that I get us in the right (offensive line) protection.
“I’ve played against really good NFL players. I think about my freshman year, learning from the No. 1 overall pick and Heisman Trophy winner (Bryce Young). Going (against) defense on scout team, I got Will Anderson, Dallas Turner, Henry To’To’o. I got Kool-Aid (McKinstry) on one side and Terrion (Arnold) on the other side. There are a number of first- and second-round draft picks that I went against. The Alabama locker room was as close to an NFL locker room as you can get.”
The knock on Simpson is that he only made 15 career starts. The recent history of quarterbacks with fewer than 25 career starts is alarming.
But Simpson has a chance to make scouts focus on something else Saturday when he throws at the NFL Combine as Mendoza watches from the sideline, saving his arm for Indiana’s Pro Day.
