Alabama 28-TD QB Could Learn Behind Geno Smith Before Taking Jets Starting Job
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The Jets rebuilt their quarterback room this winter and traded Justin Fields to Kansas City. They acquired Geno Smith from Las Vegas. Now they could add Alabama’s 28-TD QB Ty Simpson through the draft. Simpson met with New York coaches at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. He called head coach Aaron Glenn “a super, juiceful guy.” That conversation happened just weeks before April’s draft. The timing suggests genuine interest from both sides.
Pro Football Focus analyst Gordon McGuinness projected Simpson landing with the Jets at pick No. 35. The mock draft scenario involves a trade with Tennessee first. Simpson would join a quarterback room led by Smith for one season. The Alabama product completed 305 passes for 3,567 yards in 2025. He threw 28 touchdowns against just five interceptions. His 145.2 passer rating ranked among the nation’s best despite a brutal Rose Bowl loss to Indiana.
Smith brings credentials to the mentorship role. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2022 and 2023. But last season raised concerns about his long-term viability. Smith led the NFL with 17 interceptions in 2025. That number signals a decline.
The one-year timeline works perfectly for both parties. Smith gets another starting opportunity in his 13th professional season. Simpson gets time to add weight to his 6-2, 208-pound frame. He acknowledged eating four meals daily with protein shakes between sessions. A year of NFL strength training would help significantly. Simpson also gains exposure to professional play-calling and defensive schemes without the pressure of being a star.
Alabama’s Star QB Is Confident That He Will Be A Franchise Star
Simpson didn’t hesitate when asked about his NFL readiness.
“I’m ready. I’m a franchise quarterback,” he said at the Combine. The 23-year-old waited three years in Alabama before getting his starting chance. He appeared in only 16 games total and threw just 50 passes before 2025. That patience built character, and it might serve him well in his professional life.
New York’s quarterback situation creates a natural apprenticeship window. Smith will turn 36 before September, and his contract expires after one season. The Jets structured the deal to pay just $3.3 million while Las Vegas covers $16.2 million, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Simpson could watch, learn, and prepare for 2027.
General manager Darren Mougey holds considerable draft capital this April. The Jets own picks No. 2 and No. 16 in the first round. Two second-round selections provide additional flexibility. Simpson told reporters he’d give New York “the best Ty Simpson they can get” if drafted. Smith’s contract situation practically guarantees Simpson would inherit the starting job by 2027. Few landing spots offer that kind of clarity for a developmental quarterback.
