With Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza the odds-on No. 1 overall draft pick likely headed to the Las Vegas Raiders, and with the Jets holding the Nos. 2 and 16 picks in the first round and two more in the second round, GM Darren Mougey said he plans to leave no stone unturned when it comes strengthening the team's QB room.
Entering the new league year, the Green & White currently has three signal-callers under contract -- Justin Fields, Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe. Veteran backup Tyrod Taylor will be eligible for free agency. With Mendoza expected to be off the board early, that will leave the Jets to consider free agents, possible trades and certainly promising talents among the QBs available in April's NFL Draft.
One of those definite maybes, Ty Simpson, met with the Jets at this week's NFL Combine in Indianapolis and said the encounter "was great."
"Just talking ball, getting to know each other" Simpson, 23, said. "Coach \[Aaron\] Glenn is a super, juiceful guy. Just getting on the board is really what I like.
"I really love the Jets, really blessed to have a meeting with them, and if I have the opportunity to play in New York – they're going to get the best Ty Simpson they can get."
If there are any doubts about Simpson's viability as an NFL quarterback, it's because he was a starter at Alabama for only one season. In 2025, he completed 305-of-473 passes (64.5%) for 3,567 yards, 28 TDs and 5 INT in leading the Crimson Tide to an 11-4 record. Alabama made it to the quarterfinals of the CFB Playoffs, losing to Indiana and Mendoza, 38-3 in the Rose Bowl.