Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry is expected to have Ty Simpson on his radar this offseason.
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Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry is expected to have Ty Simpson on his radar this offseason.
The Cleveland Browns may turn to the draft to find their next quarterback, with Alabama’s Ty Simpson on the team’s radar.
Cleveland holds the No. 6 and 24 overall picks. Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com said the Browns will consider Simpson as they weigh what to do with those picks. And they’ll keep an eye on him if he sinks in the draft to the second round or beyond.
“As for Simpson, the Browns will consider him at No. 6, or even at No. 24 or No. 39 if he lasts that long,” Cabot said. “Widely-regarded as the second-best quarterback in the 2026 class behind Fernando Mendoza, who will go No. 1 to the Raiders, Simpson has plenty of upside potential, but has started only 15 games at Alabama, and will turn 24 in December.”
The Browns have made it clear they plan to explore every avenue at quarterback, even with Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Deshaun Watson all under contract for next season. New head coach Todd Monken said that the starter was “to be determined” in his introductory press conference.
Ty Simpson Has Limited Resume for Browns to Consider
Simpson earned some buzz in his lone season as the starter for Alabama. He passed for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions. Here’s the breakdown on Simpson as a prospect via NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein.
“Former five-star prospect who waited his turn at Alabama and raised his profile in a single season as the Tide’s starter. Simpson is mechanically sound from a footwork and release perspective, providing a favorable foundation to work from,” Zierlein said. “He’s above average as a processor and decision-maker, but timing and anticipation remain works in progress. Arm talent and velocity are average, which limits his success.
“His repeatable process should help iron out ball placement inconsistencies the more he plays. Simpson is unfazed by shell coverages and is decisive when attacking intermediate zone pockets for chunk gains. He can break contain and move the sticks with his legs, too. Learning to cut bait and avoid sacks needs to be prioritized. One-year starters rarely ‘boom’ so he’ll need a patient staff and a clear developmental roadmap to fill in the missing pieces.”
Browns Also Keeping Eye on Malik Willis
Another potential quarterback the Browns are monitoring is Malik Willis, who will be one of the most sought-after free agents this offseason.
Much like Simpson, the Browns would have to operate on a limited resume as they evaluate Willis as a potential big-money starter. Willis — a former third-round pick of the Tennessee Titans — has started just six games in his NFL career.
He was particularly impressive in his lone start last season with the Green Bay Packers, completing 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and accounting for three total touchdowns — two rushing and one passing — in a loss against the Baltimore Ravens. Last season, Willis went 2-0 as a spot starter for Green Bay, throwing for 550 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, strengthening his case as a capable and efficient option when called upon.
The Miami Dolphins have emerged as a logical landing spot for Willis, thanks to a familiar web of connections. New head coach Jeff Hafley worked closely with him in Green Bay over the past two seasons, while new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan was the Packers’ Vice President of Player Personnel.