Alabama QB Ty Simpson set to visit Jets. Here's what it means.

The New York Jets are starting to do their homework on quarterbacks ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Jets are set to host Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson for a private workout on Friday, March 27, per ESPN’s Field Yates.

Simpson – a one-year starter for the Crimson Tide – is widely expected to be the second quarterback off the board behind Fernando Mendoza during the 2026 NFL Draft. The 23-year-old signal-caller completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2025 while leading Alabama to a College Football Playoff appearance and a first-round win over Oklahoma.

TY SIMPSON DRAFT ODDS Which team will draft Alabama QB?

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1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State

3. Arizona Cardinals – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech

4. Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

5. New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

6. Cleveland Browns – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

7. Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

8. New Orleans Saints – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

9. Kansas City Chiefs – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

10. Cincinnati Bengals – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

11. Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)

12. Dallas Cowboys – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

14. Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)

16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

17. Detroit Lions – Spencer Fano, OT/G, Utah

18. Minnesota Vikings – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

19. Carolina Panthers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

20. Dallas Cowboys – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kadyn Proctor, OT/G, Alabama

22. Los Angeles Chargers – T.J. Parker, DE/OLB, Clemson

23. Philadelphia Eagles – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

24. Cleveland Browns – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

25. Chicago Bears – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

26. Buffalo Bills – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

27. San Francisco 49ers – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

28. Houston Texans – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams) – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

31. New England Patriots – Zion Young, DE/OLB, Missouri

32. Seattle Seahawks – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Simpson followed up his strong season by being one of the top-performing quarterbacks at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. He completed his pro day workout in front of NFL talent evaluators on March 25 and will likely host several private workouts as he looks to prove himself as a first-round prospect.

The Jets are armed with two first-round selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. They own their own pick – No. 2 overall – and also acquired the No. 16 pick from the Indianapolis Colts as part of the midseason Sauce Gardner trade.

If the Jets fall in love with Simpson, they will likely need to use one of those premium picks on the Alabama product, as there is no guarantee he would be available in the second round.

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That said, New York could simply be doing its due diligence on Simpson. If they aren’t sold on him, they could be content building up the roster around veteran quarterback Geno Smith – who they acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders for a late-round pick swap – with its first-round picks.

Either way, the Jets figure to add a quarterback at some point during the 2026 NFL Draft. Smith will turn 36 during the 2026 NFL season, so it would behoove the Jets to add a young quarterback to develop behind him.

Whether it’s Simpson in the first round, Garrett Nussmeier or Carson Beck on Day 2 or another signal-caller on the draft’s final day, expect another young signal-caller to join New York’s depth chart for the 2026 NFL season.

Jets QB depth chart

The Jets currently have three quarterbacks on their roster. Below is a look at the pecking order within the unit.

Cook is the only quarterback who played for the Jets during the 2025 season. He made four starts, going 0-4 while completing 57.5% of his passes for 739 yards, two touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Meanwhile, Smith posted a league-worst 17 interceptions with the Raiders while Zappe spent most of the 2025 season on the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad and didn’t play a single snap.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ty Simpson to visit Jets for private workout, per report

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