Ty Simpson to the Jets? NFL Draft rumors heat up with private workout

The New York Jets are scheduled to host Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson for a private workout on Friday, a development that has ignited fresh speculation about the team’s plans at No. 2 overall in next month’s NFL Draft.

Simpson, whose draft stock has fluctuated throughout the pre-draft cycle, has become the focal point of a broader quarterback debate after ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky argued that teams should view the Crimson Tide signal-caller—not consensus QB1 Fernando Mendoza—as the top passer on the board. Orlovsky’s stance has triggered pushback across national outlets, including heated segments on The Pat McAfee Show, and has reportedly drawn support from some unnamed front offices.

For the Jets, the timing is impossible to ignore. Holding the second pick and armed with an additional first-rounder at No. 16 (courtesy of last year’s Sauce Gardner trade with Indianapolis), New York is positioned to reshape its roster after a 2025 season in which the defense failed to record a single interception. While Geno Smith was brought back on a reworked deal, the 36-year-old is not viewed as the long-term answer under center.

The private workout will give New York’s decision-makers an extended look at Simpson’s arm talent, processing speed and leadership traits. If the Jets walk away convinced he is a franchise quarterback, they could pull the trigger at No. 2—passing on elite defenders such as Rueben Bain Jr., David Bailey, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles or Caleb Downs. Yet the organization must weigh that risk against the possibility that Simpson—or another quarterback—will still be available at No. 16, where he appeared in many January mock drafts.

A middle-ground scenario also exists: New York could use the second selection on a premium non-quarterback, hope Simpson slides to 16, and still address its most important position. If he does not last that long, the Jets are armed with three first-round choices in the 2027 draft—ammunition widely expected to be stronger at quarterback—allowing them to punt the decision for twelve months.

The workout is unlikely to remain a secret. Quarterback-needy clubs such as Arizona (No. 3), Cleveland (No. 6), Pittsburgh and the Los Angeles Rams have all been linked to Simpson in recent weeks. By showcasing interest, the Jets could be attempting to coax a trade offer from one of those suitors, either for the second pick or for the 16th selection, where a modest move-up might be required.

Ultimately, the session serves multiple purposes: a firsthand evaluation, a potential smokescreen and a leverage play in the weeks-long poker game that precedes draft night. With the draft still nearly a month away, the only certainty is that the Jets will leave no stone—or quarterback—unturned.