Ty Simpson rumors heat up as Jets coaches reportedly 'loved' top QB prospect

While many New York Jets fans would prefer that the team wait until the 2027 NFL Draft to select their next franchise quarterback, Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey have continued to show some serious interest in Alabama's Ty Simpson.

Simpson, a possible pick at No. 16 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, has reportedly gotten the attention of this team's top brass in the last few weeks, especially when it comes to how he handles an offense between the ears.

ESPN reporter Rich Cimini, in an appearance on the "Jets Collective" YouTube show, said that both Mougey and Glenn were in town to scout Simpson, along with offensive coordinator Frank Reich and quarterback coach Bill Musgrave. Simpson was reportedly very impressive in the eyes of this power structure.

"On the whiteboard...He's a smart quarterback," Cimini said. "The coaches loved him...The scouts are looking for the traits. The size, the arm strength, the speed. That's not where he checks the boxes. He checks it with his cerebral approach, the ability to get to the line of scrimmage and do the whole Peyton Manning thing. Move guys around, read the defense, read the MIKE linebacker. He's great at that stuff."

Jets reportedly very impressed by Ty Simpson in private meeting

Simpson's biggest concern is the lack of starting experience with just one year under his belt. However, with his sharp football mind already starting to impress, the idea of him being overwhelmed by an NFL scheme seems less likely than most inexperienced gunslingers out there.

Simpson, listed at 6-1 and 211 pounds, is not a bigger quarterback, and none of his physical traits exceed the above-average threshold. Where he excels is combining a quality arm with the ability to pick apart an NFL defense pre-snap. If he stays healthy, Simpson has all the franchise quarterback traits.

At this point in the pre-draft process, it's hard to figure out where the Jets are. Cimini's reporting often contradicts other rumors that claim the Jets are passing on Simpson and looking toward the 2027 Draft as their chance to take a swing at a franchise guy.

Simpson has all the skills needed to eventually give Jets fans some assurance that better days are here again, but that might not be enough to make a large swath of this fanbase suddenly accept him after he has shown some concerning traits that could prevent him from reaching his full potential.