Andrew Buller-Russ
After realizing there wasn’t a quarterback worth selecting with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Jets moved quickly to acquire Geno Smith. He’s expected to be the Jets’ starting QB for the entire season.
But what about 2027? After all, if Smith could only lead the Raiders to a 2-13 record last year, who’s to say he’ll be any better for the Jets? Yet, Jets general manager Darren Mougey has reportedly been busy identifying other QB prospects who could develop into the long-term solution in New York.
According to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network, the Jets have “done a lot of work” on Alabama QB Ty Simpson.
The Jets indeed have done a lot of work on Simpson, who’s projected to either be a late first-round selection or land somewhere in the second round. New York put Simpson through a private workout, they attended his Pro Day, and also took him out to dinner. The Jets hold the second and 16th picks in the first round of the draft. They also have the 34th and 44th picks in the second round.
The Cardinals are another team that has been heavily linked to Simpson, and their QB situation is even more dire than the Jets. The Cardinals select third and 34th, and we could see these two teams jockeying for position to ensure they get their guy.
Related: Final 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Round 1 With Trades
