Ahead of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, there are few more prospects who have received the kind of media attention that Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson has received.
Simpson is widely viewed as the No. 2 quarterback in the 2026 class behind Fernando Mendoza. He has been projected to be a first-round pick by many, but there have also been some projections that have him slipping to the early stages of the second round.
Either way, the Alabama signal caller is going to be selected early in the draft.
The 2025 season was Simpson’s first year as a full-time college starter. He led the Crimson Tide to a successful season, completing 64.5 percent of his pass attempts for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. Simpson also chipped in with 93 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
At one point during the year, he was considered a Heisman Trophy candidate. Unfortunately, his level of play fell off late in the season.
Alabama’s Ty Simpson Reveals NFL QB Who Has Helped Him Immensely
With the 2026 NFL Draft under two months away, Simpson spoke out with a thankful message to a current professional quarterback who has been helping him prepare. That quarterback is none other than Carolina Panthers starter Bryce Young, who was a star at Alabama himself.
“I can’t thank him enough for everything he’s done for me,” Simpson said during an appearance on the “Up & Adams Show.” “Just helping me adapt to the college game, answering any questions that I’ve had about the NFL.”
Young has had a rollercoaster start to his NFL career after being taken by the Panthers with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft. However, he was able to lead Carolina to the playoffs and an NFC South division title last season.
Which NFL Teams Could Be Landing Spots for Ty Simpson?
Quite a few different teams have been named potential options for Simpson in the NFL Draft. There are a few that stick out above the rest.
One of those teams is the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are preparing for life after Aaron Rodgers. Whether the future Hall of Fame quarterback returns in 2026 or not, drafting Simpson to be the long-term starter could make a ton of sense.
Another option would be the New York Jets. They could take Simpson with the first pick of the second round, or they could trade back up into the late first-round to get him.
Finally, the other two teams to watch are the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns. Both franchises are needing to find legitimate long-term options. The Browns may already have that in Shedeur Sanders, but they have been connected to a rookie quarterback.
Expect to continue hearing a lot of talk about Simpson leading up to the draft. For now, he’s in a good position and has a solid shot at being a first-round pick.
Alabama’s Ty Simpson Reveals NFL QB Who Has Helped Him Before Draft