Rumors connecting the New York Jets to Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 16 have persisted throughout the pre-draft cycle, but one of the most established voices around the franchise is urging fans to slow down the speculation.
ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini cast doubt on the likelihood of New York selecting a quarterback in the first round during a conversation with Field Yates on “NFL Draft Daily,” pointing instead to the team’s roster construction and long-term draft flexibility.
Rich Cimini Pushes Back on the Jets’ Reported First Round Interest in Ty Simpson
Cimini, who has covered the Jets for decades, said the organization’s current situation does not align with the idea of drafting a developmental passer in the middle of the first round.
“I’ve been around the organization a long time. Based on what I know, I’d be a little surprised if they took him at 16, only because they have so many other needs,” Cimini said.
The Jets reshaped their quarterback room earlier this offseason by trading with the Las Vegas Raiders for veteran Geno Smith, who returns to the franchise as a short-term stabilizer after a disastrous 2025 season in Las Vegas.
Smith posted a PFSN NFL QB Impact score of 68.6, ranking 34th among quarterbacks, and gives New York a competent bridge option while the front office continues to rebuild the roster.
Simpson has drawn interest across the league as a high-ceiling prospect, and some analysts have speculated that the Jets could view him as a long-term project behind Smith. But Cimini emphasized that the organization is not operating under pressure to secure its future starter this year.
“I do know this, Field. With three number one picks in next year’s draft, the Jets do not feel like they are pressured to take someone this year. So they’re going into it with that mentality,” he said.
Those future assets give general manager Darren Mougey significant flexibility. New York can reassess the quarterback landscape in 2027, when the class may be deeper and the team’s long-term direction clearer.
In the meantime, the Jets have immediate needs at offensive tackle, wide receiver, and edge rusher, all of which align with their goal of building a more competitive roster around Smith.
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The Jets have conducted their standard evaluations of this year’s quarterback group, but Cimini’s comments suggest that interest should not be mistaken for intent. New York appears more likely to target positions that can contribute right away rather than invest a premium pick in a developmental passer.
Simpson remains a possibility if the board breaks unexpectedly, but the organization’s posture points toward a more pragmatic approach. With Smith in place and multiple first-rounders coming next year, the Jets seem poised to prioritize roster reinforcement over drafting a quarterback in the first round this spring.
