Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson created one of this pre-draft cycle’s most talked-about clips during his media session at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, and it had nothing to do with a 40-yard dash or a throwing session. Coming off a strong 11-4 season in Tuscaloosa, the 23-year-old signal-caller is making sure teams remember more than just his arm. But beneath the charm, a complicated draft evaluation is quietly taking shape.
Ty Simpson’s Bold Audition for New York Has Fans Hyped
Simpson met with Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Frank Reich for a pre-draft meeting at the combine this week. Later, during media availability, Jets broadcaster and podcast host Jake Asman asked about the session. Simpson’s response was anything but ordinary. He called the meeting “really cool,” adding that he would love the opportunity to play under them. Then, without any prompting, hedelivered a full-throated “J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!!!!” chant on camera.
The clip spread fast and reached nearly 150,000 views within hours, drawing laughs and genuine excitement from Jets fans across social media.
The enthusiasm comes with genuine production behind it. Simpson threw for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and only five interceptions across 15 starts in 2025, earning Second-Team All-SEC honors. Alabama finished 11-4 and reached the College Football Playoff quarterfinals before suffering a 38-3 blowout loss to Indiana in theRose Bowl.
What is less known is that Simpsonentered that game weighing just 190 pounds after a severe case of gastritis drained him late in the season, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He has since recovered and weighed in at 215 pounds at the combine this week.
That health context reframes what looked like a consistency issue as something more understandable, though scouts with limited starting film still want more answers.
For now, Simpson is letting his personality do some of the talking. The chant won hearts in the building. Online, the response was a little more complicated.
Fans Troll to Ty Simpson After Viral Chant Video
The clip did not take long to divide the internet. Jets fans flooded the comments with everything from genuine excitement to sharp skepticism, and the range of reactions painted a clear picture of just how polarizing Simpson’s draft candidacy really is. Even Asman could not resist,asked with a laugh: “Was this the first of many Jets chants from Ty Simpson?”😂
One supporterwrote, “My issue is to the other fans that are on the boat of not drafting him, what if we pass on him and wait til 27 and wherever Simpson goes hes a beast and next year we draft Arch like everyone hopes for and the Arch ends up being garbage, take Simpson and sit him if he’s not ready.”
The secondquipped the Jets team directly, “He knows the Jets are the only stupid enough team to draft him in the first round.”
Anotherpushedback on the timeline entirely, “He’s a 50/50 crap shoot. Their will be better options in 2027. Trade for Tyson Bagent!”
One userjoked, “Can he stop walking and answer your questions for a few minutes?”
The final voiceurged, “If he falls to the fourth round, sure. We have to build a team before getting a QB. Not a lot of in game experience, deep balls were an issue as well. Glad he’s cool with going to the Jets though. If the Jets do take him, obviously will root for him.”
However, the question is no longer whether Simpson wants to be a Jet. The question is whether New York will make that call.
With the 2026 NFL Draft set for late April in Pittsburgh, Simpson enters as the consensus second quarterback available behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. The Jets hold two first-round picks, their own at No. 2 and the Indianapolis Colts’ pick at No. 16, giving them real flexibility to secure their quarterback of the future. After this week in Indianapolis, Simpson has made sure they know exactly where his heart is.