New Ty Simpson Rumors from Todd McShay on Jets, Browns' Plans in 2026 NFL Draft

Despite being in need of a long-term solution at quarterback and having multiple first-round picks to work with, the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns aren't necessarily jumping at the chance to get Ty Simpson.

On the latest episode of The McShay Show (starts at 12:53 mark), The Ringer's Todd McShay explained that both clubs are keeping an eye on 2027 as the chance to address their quarterback situations rather than actively pursuing Simpson:

"And it doesn't take away from anything that's going on in this class. But there are some teams that are looking ahead to 2027 and we're questioning like Cleveland Browns. Don't think you're taking two first round picks the quarterback this year."And it doesn't take away from anything that's going on in this class. But there are some teams that are looking ahead to 2027 and we're questioning like Cleveland Browns. Don't think you're taking two first round picks the quarterback this year. Let's build this team out, let's get a weapon, let's get protection, let's get it ready for 2027. Same thing, Geno Smith gets brought in for the New York Jets. They pick it two and 16.

"Love Ty Simpson, don't think he's going to either of those places with their second pick. I think the Jets are very clearly, as I've said from the jump and have good intel on this, their moves that they made in the offseason, including one of their deals, they were offered a first round pick this year and a second next year. They said, no, we'll do the deal if it's a second this year and a first next year."

The Jets pick at Nos. 2 and 16 in the first round, while Cleveland owns the sixth and 24th picks.

Fernando Mendoza appears to be the only surefire first-round quarterback in this year's class. He's widely assumed to be going No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Simpson is considered more of a fringe first-round talent. B/R's NFL scouting department has him ranked as the No. 26 player in the class, but the quarterback tax usually makes it hard for the second-ranked player at the position to fall out of the first round.

B/R is currently projecting Simpson to be a first-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 26 pick in a trade up with the Buffalo Bills.

The issue for someone like Simpson is that next year's class looks significantly stronger than 2026. Even though that's become a go-to cliche and doesn't always pan out, right now the 2027 consensus big board has five quarterbacks ranked among the top-29 players.

Four of them are in the top five, with the lone outlier being Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

The Browns and Jets are among teams that seem to be planning for a quarterback next year. Cleveland's depth chart is the same as it was in 2025 with Shedeur Sanders and Dillion Gabriel, though Deshaun Watson is also expected to compete for the starting job after missing all of last season due to a torn Achilles.

New York did at least make a change by trading out Justin Fields and acquiring Geno Smith to see if he can improve the offense.

The Jets are also at an advantage because they currently have three first-round picks in 2027. They have their own, plus picks from the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys from the Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades.

Having that much extra draft capital could allow the Jets to move up for a player next year if they were to win too many games and drop out of contention for a top quarterback like Arch Manning or Dante Moore.