Ty Simpson is viewed as the QB2 in the 2026 NFL Draft, as there is little competition for the spot behind Fernando Mendoza in this year’s class. Serving as Alabama’s starting quarterback boosts Simpson’s draft outlook, but his late-season struggles continue to raise some concerns about his stock.
Alabama Alum Issues Blunt Take by Pinning Ty Simpson’s Struggles on Ryan Grubb
Grubb struggled to make a strong impact during his time as the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, as head coach Mike Macdonald moved on from him less than a day after the team’s 2024 season ended.
Kalen DeBoer brought his longtime associate, Grubb, to Alabama, but doubts have already surfaced about Grubb’s fit in Tuscaloosa after Alabama’s rushing attack ranked second-worst in the SEC during his first season as offensive coordinator in 2025.
Alabama alum Conrad VanOrder discussed the program on the “That SEC Podcast”, arguing that Grubb failed to meet expectations and was partly responsible for Simpson fading late in the season.
“I made the joke after the Super Bowl, I said Alabama should fire Ryan Grubb because then they’ll win the national championship next year,” VanOrder said (8:18). “Because you saw what happened with the Seahawks. They fired Ryan Grubb and won the Super Bowl. So, I’m half-kidding when I say that, but no, I think in terms of expectations. You hit the nail on the head, up and through.”
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“Alabama went and beat four ranked teams in a row, and it was incredible… It was great, and the offense was humming. Then, at a certain point, I think what we all knew would happen did happen. Ty Simpson was great, but the wear and tear of the season, he was obviously banged up at the end of it, and he didn’t have any help.”
Simpson was briefly in early Heisman Trophy discussions, as he averaged 266.7 passing yards per game while completing 66.9% of his passes with 28 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions throughout the first 11 games. However, his production declined late in the season, dropping to 158.3 passing yards per game with a 57.1% completion rate over the final four contests.
Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine last month, Simpson discussed the struggles down the stretch.
“I think I did a better job in the middle, later in the year, just taking completions, cutting the field in half, and just taking what they give me,” Simpson said. “But I also think, later in the year, instead of worrying about other stuff… ”
“Just staying in the pocket and maybe taking a hit, better pocket presence, staying grounded at the back of the drop. Just simple stuff that is easy fixes, but just stuff that you get caught up in because you’re trying to make sure that this is the right coverage for the right play and making the right decision,” Simpson added.
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Simpson is considered a first-round pick in the draft. However, Alabama supporters will likely expect improvement in 2026 after the offense struggled to establish consistency on the ground.
In Grubb’s first year calling plays, the Crimson Tide averaged just 104.1 rushing yards per game, ranking 123rd among 134 FBS teams. Alabama’s offense ultimately finished the season ranked No. 30 nationally with a B- grade on PFSN’s College Football Offense Impact Metric.
