FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets are officially moving on from the Justin Fields era. One week after shipping Fields to Kansas City, the front office is zeroing in on his successor. The team scheduled a private workout with Alabama standout Ty Simpson for Friday, March 27, according to ESPN’s Field Yates. The move signals a massive shift as the Jets weigh using the No. 2 overall pick on the Crimson Tide signal-caller.
New York is desperate for stability. After the Justin Fields experiment collapsed last season, resulting in a 3-14 finish, General Manager Darren Mougey is under immense pressure to hit on this pick. Simpson isn’t just a name on a board; he is the man who just lit up Tuscaloosa. During his Pro Day on Tuesday, Simpson looked every bit like a top-tier pro. He zipped passes into tight windows and showed the kind of footwork that makes scouts drool. Yates reported that Simpson’s “accuracy and tempo” were the talk of the session. Now, he heads to Jersey to prove he can handle the bright lights of MetLife Stadium.
The Jets aren’t just looking at Simpson for the second pick. They also hold the No. 16 selection—a gift from the Indianapolis Colts in the Sauce Gardner trade. With two picks in the top 20, the Jets have the ammunition to rebuild this roster overnight. But it all starts with the guy under center. Simpson’s 2025 campaign was a statement: 3,567 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions. He didn’t just play; he commanded the SEC.
“I’ve talked to 12 to 15 different general managers over the last month. Ty Simpson is the best quarterback in this class, period. Only two people I spoke with even tried to argue otherwise. He’s a program changer.”— Dan Orlovsky, NFL Analyst
While Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is the heavy favorite to go No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders, Simpson has emerged as the clear-cut “1B” in this class. The Jets have already added veteran Geno Smith to the roster as a stopgap, but nobody expects a 35-year-old to be the long-term solution. The Friday workout will likely focus on Simpson’s ability to digest the Jets’ playbook and his chemistry with the current coaching staff.
The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off in Pittsburgh on Thursday, April 23. The Jets have 28 days to decide if Simpson is the face of the franchise. If Friday goes well, expect the “Simpson to New York” noise to become a deafening roar. The fans are tired of “experiments.” They want a winner. Simpson, who finished his Alabama career with a 64.5% completion rate, might be the only one capable of delivering.
