Ty

Simpson

With two Pro Bowl quarterbacks already on the roster in Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson, it’s hard to imagine the Browns wanting to add even more to an already loaded QB room. That said, Willis, who is expected to be a highly coveted free agent this offseason, and Simpson could both be considered as options to add to the offense in Todd Monken’s first year at the helm. Watson remains a true question mark entering 2026. While he is under contract with the Browns through next season, the early return on his record-setting deal has been disappointing. Watson is returning from a torn Achilles he suffered in 2024 and has thrown for just 3,365-19-12 in the 19 games he’s played in for them over three years. When it comes to Sanders, the rookie QB is coming off a brutal first season that featured more lows than highs, and as a fifth-round pick, he shouldn’t be viewed as a lock to be handed any starting job. The Browns will have plenty of time to discuss all options at the NFL Scouting Combine this week, but Willis and Simpson will be two names to watch as free agency and draft talk continues to ramp up.

Matthew Stafford, 38, is entrenched as the 2026 starter. Bonsignore writes that “the Rams are already planning for that inevitable transition” that will occur whenever Stafford chooses to retire. Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza is unlikely to be available when the Rams are on the clock with the 13th and 29th first-round picks. Bonsignore singles out Alabama QB Ty Simpson as an option for the Rams, while noting that they will likely take a look at Penn State QB Drew Allar, Miami QB Carson Beck, Arkansas QB Taylen Green, Georgia Tech QB Haynes King, Clemson QB Cade Klubnik and LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier at the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine.

Simpson will be looking to shore up the QB2 ranking in the class. The Alabama quarterback came out of nowhere last year with a conference-leading 473 attempts for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Simpson had thrown just 50 passes in his first three seasons as Tuscaloosa. Scouts will want to get as deep of a look as they can at Simpson, so it makes plenty of sense for him to throw at the combine.

In an appearance for ESPN Cleveland radio, Fowler said he would “expect the Browns to add” to the quarterback room in the offseason. Fowler mentioned Alabama draft prospect Ty Simpson and impending free agent Malik Willis as options to “shake up” the quarterback situation under new head coach Todd Monken. Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel were underwhelming as rookies while Deshaun Watson is still in Cleveland coming off an Achilles injury and still holding a large cap hit. If Fowler’s words are any indication, we could see another name or two added to the mix this offseason.

Simpson was named Alabama’s starter for 2025 after biding his time with the team from 2022-2024. In his final college season, he completed 275-of-419 passes for 3,282 yards, 27 touchdowns and four interceptions, while rushing 62 times for 282 yards and two touchdowns, earning second-team All-SEC honors.

Simpson (6'1"/187) follows in recent Heisman winner Bryce Young’s footsteps as the latest five-star QB to commit to the Crimson Tide. He’s the third ranked QB in the class, and the 24th overall recruit. Simpson can do damage with his feet, extending plays and getting outside the pocket. He’s a great athlete and has what it takes between the ears.

Throwing catchable passes is kind of the name of the game for Simpson and his ilk, but what made his performance stand out this past Sunday was the way he kept putting the ball on the money despite considerable wind and rain. Friedman writes that due to the elements -- which led to drops -- it proved difficult for the Tennessee native to get into any kind of a natural groove or rhythm. He fought through in impressive fashion regardless. Simpson, who pledged to Alabama near the end of February, currently slots as Rivals’ No. 23 overall prospect for the 2022 cycle. He is a high four-star recruit who should be watched for a potential fifth star in the coming months. Alabama currently owns Rivals’ No. 16 class for next year. Unless the world stops spinning, they will probably hold a top-five class come next February’s final signing period.

As expected for any five-star recruit, Alabama beat out some other major schools to bring in Simpson, including Clemson. Simpson, though modest in stature at 6-foot-2 and 185-pounds, is a fantastic playmaker outside the pocket and has that spark that can unlock an offense. Simpson does not necessarily throw with the best velocity, but the Alabama offense has proven that to not be an issue, seeing as neither Tua Tagovailoa nor Mac Jones had particularly impressive arms and still produced at a high level. Simpson is Alabama’s fourth 2022 recruit so far.

Won’t have to wait long to see whether Farrell and Gorney are on the money, here, as Simpson is set to make his pledge at 3:00 EST on Friday. Clemson is predictably not running unopposed with the 6-foot-1, 170-pound gunslinger. Tennessee is in the mix for the Volunteer State native as well, but the real biggie to watch at the wire is Alabama. The defending champs have been pushing hard for the signal-caller this winter and if there’s one program that might get in the way of Clemson, it’s the Crimson Tide. Earlier this week, the five-star quarterback indicated that he was split 50/50 between the two perennial Playoff contenders. Simpson ranks as Rivals’ No. 23 overall prospect in the 2022 class.

Simpson (6'1/170) looked to be in Clemson’s corner for some time, but the Tide have been charging hard for the five-star gunslinger’s pledge. They’ll cap off that charge with a Nick Saban video meeting on Thursday evening, just hours before Simpson makes his college call. On the other side of the above-mentioned 50-50 coin, Tigers HC Dabo Swinney has twice Zoomed with the Martin, Tennessee, native down the stretch, while school president (!) James Clements made a pitch of his own on Wednesday. Simpson slots onto the 247Sports composite board as the No. 27 overall prospect in the 2022 class.