Ty Simpson hits back at those who ripped him ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

Over the past handful of months, Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson became the most polarizing prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft class. 

As recently as earlier this week, one unnamed NFC quarterbacks coach wanted it known that he felt Simpson is "a backup that in any other draft would be picked as a backup and only to be a backup." During an appearance on FanDuel TV's "Up & Adams" program, Simpson revealed what he thinks analysts got wrong about him during the predraft process. 

Ty Simpson doesn't understand this narrative

"I really get upset when people say that I'm not athletic and I don't have arm strength," Simpson said. "I don't know where they get that from. If you go watch my tape from my freshman year on, I'm running around making plays, being an athlete. So, the non-athletic part is very puzzling to me."

For a piece published on Thursday morning, NFL insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom US noted that "decision-makers" around the league viewed Simpson as "a limited quarterback prospect who should be selected somewhere on the second day of the draft." However, other stories linked Simpson with quarterback-needy teams such as the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Regardless of when Simpson goes off the draft board, it sounds like he won't forget what has been said and written about him since the start of 2026. 

Ty Simpson is eager to prove people wrong 

"I play better with a chip on my shoulder," Simpson explained. "It gives me something to prove people wrong about. And, I feel like it's something that gives me an edge, and it...puts a fire underneath me to go out and prove these people wrong." 

Simpson may have to wait to receive a true opportunity to prove doubters wrong if the team that drafts him agrees with former Alabama head coach Nick Saban and decides that the signal-caller needs to spend at least some of his rookie season serving as a backup for a proven veteran. Perhaps Simpson will use some of that time to locate more bulletin-board material that he can use for motivation.