INDIANAPOLIS — Ty Simpson is betting on himself. The Alabama quarterback officially confirmed he will throw at next week’s NFL Combine. He refuses to rest on his 2025 film. As the Ty Simpson 2026 NFL Draft hype builds, the Crimson Tide star aims to completely lock down his status as a first-round pick.
Most draft rooms agree on one thing. Indiana’s Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza will go No. 1 overall. He already stated he will wait for his pro day to throw. When Oregon’s Dante Moore shocked scouts and returned to school last month, the QB2 spot blew wide open. Simpson saw the gap. Now, he plans to take it.
Carrying the Tide Through Injury
You cannot ignore what Simpson produced in Tuscaloosa last fall. He torched SEC defenses for 3,567 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He did this without a bruising, traditional Alabama run game behind him. Instead, Simpson strapped the rushing attack to his own back, scrambling 90 times for 93 yards and two scores.
His arm talent jumps off the screen. Scouts love his active feet in the pocket. But the brutal SEC schedule took a physical toll. Prior to facing South Carolina, Simpson completed 70.2% of his passes for 1,931 yards and 18 touchdowns. After taking hits to his ribs and back, his completion rate dropped to 60.4% down the stretch. He exited the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Indiana early, completing 12 of 16 passes for 67 yards before the pain sidelined him. The Combine gives him a platform to prove he is fully healthy.
“Ty Simpson was the nation’s best QB before he got hurt & the Steelers at 21 make so much sense. You can’t do it any better than this… the way he gets to his 4th progression is perfect… great pocket presence.”
— Chase Daniel, Former NFL Quarterback
Draft Implications / What’s Next for Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Steelers sit at No. 21 overall, staring at a massive question mark under center. Veteran Aaron Rodgers led them to an AFC North crown in 2025, but insider reports suggest his 2026 return is highly doubtful. If Rodgers retires, new head coach Mike McCarthy only has Mason Rudolph and second-year pro Will Howard in the quarterback room.
Pittsburgh needs a long-term answer. Steelers scouts attended four of Simpson’s games last season—South Carolina, Florida State, Missouri, and Auburn. During that four-game stretch, Simpson ripped defenses apart for 829 yards, 10 touchdowns, and zero picks.
If Rodgers returns for one final ride, Pittsburgh operates in win-now mode. They can draft Simpson at No. 21 and let him learn behind a future Hall of Famer. If Rodgers walks away, Simpson immediately competes with Howard and Rudolph for the starting job. Next week’s Combine performance dictates everything. If Simpson hits his targets and aces the medical checks, he punches his ticket to the first round.
