The New York Jets traded for Geno Smith to win football games right now, but their draft plans might suggest a divided mindset in the building. Armed with the first pick of the second round in the upcoming NFL Draft, New York finds itself linked heavily to Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. The rumor mill hasn’t gone unnoticed by media stalwarts, with Rich Eisen taking to the airwaves to question the logic of pairing a veteran stopgap with a rookie developmental project early on Day 2.
The Jets struggled through a disastrous campaign last season under head coach Aaron Glenn. Now, the franchise is pinning its immediate hopes on Smith, the 39th overall pick from the 2013 draft who just returned to his original team via a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Does Drafting Ty Simpson Make Sense for the Jets?
Glenn seems genuinely sold on Smith as the bridge to contention. The head coach praised the veteran’s fit within the scheme and set expectations sky-high during recent media availability.
“He fits exactly what we’re trying to do,” Glenn said. “We’ve created an identity. The foundation of our offense is pretty good now.”
Glenn added that he feels Smith is the guy who will lead the franchise to the promised land. This is in spite of his apparent struggles in Las Vegas in 2025. Last season, Smith earned a PFSN QB Impact metric grade of D+. Eisen appreciates the optimism, comparing Glenn’s vocal support to Jim Harbaugh’s praise of Justin Herbert in Los Angeles.
Still, the veteran broadcaster worries about the roster-building strategy and the pressure cooker awaiting a rookie passer. Drafting Simpson with the 33rd overall pick strips the Jets of the fifth-year option available only to first-round selections. It also thrusts a young player into a brutal media market while Smith is trying to salvage his own legacy.
New York previously maneuvered its draft capital, opting to defer a Dallas Cowboys first-round pick to next year rather than stacking three first-round selections this spring. The team is heavily favored to target a wide receiver with the 16th overall pick to pair with Garrett Wilson. Passing on another Day 1 contributor at pick 33 just doesn’t sit well with Eisen.
“The Jets move is to not choose a quarterback in this year’s draft. Just don’t do it,” Eisen argued on his show. “If you do, do it on Day 3 where there’s not a lot of pressure.”
How Ty Simpson Fits the New York Jets’ Urgent Timeline
Simpson threw for over 3,500 yards and nearly 30 touchdowns during his junior season at Alabama. He boasts the raw traits teams covet, but he requires patience and developmental reps. That timeline directly conflicts with New York’s urgent need for immediate contributors across the depth chart.
Eisen noted that Smith represents a smart placeholder for a franchise trying to find its footing after last year’s collapse. He believes the team should surround him with win-now talent.
“Geno is a really good veteran quarterback when protected and a really good guy to have in the locker room being an avatar for what Aaron Glenn is trying to sell,” Eisen said.
If the Jets genuinely believe Simpson is a franchise cornerstone, Eisen suggests trading up into the back end of the first round makes far more sense. Moving up just one spot in a hypothetical deal with the Seattle Seahawks would secure that extra year of contractual control.
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Taking him at the top of the second round merely places an Alabama product in a backup role. It forces him behind a veteran who needs every possible offensive weapon the front office can acquire to stay competitive in the AFC East.
The Jets have multiple paths to upgrade their offense. Passing over immediate starters to draft a backup quarterback would be a massive gamble for a coaching staff that needs wins now.
