Indianapolis is the center of the draft world this week as the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine gets underway. For four days, prospects will be evaluated through workouts, testing, and team meetings that help shape April’s draft board. For quarterbacks, the most anticipated session arrives Saturday.
2026 NFL Combine Schedule, Date, and Time for Quarterbacks
The NFL Scouting Combine runs from Thursday, Feb. 26, through Sunday, March 1, at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Colts. The event has been hosted in Indianapolis annually since 1987.
The full workout schedule is spread across four days in Central time. On Thursday, Feb. 26, from 2 to 7 p.m., punters, kickers, defensive linemen, and linebackers take the field. Friday, Feb. 27, from 2 to 8 p.m., features defensive backs and tight ends. Quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs headline Saturday’s session from noon to 8 p.m., while offensive linemen wrap up the combine on Sunday, March 1, from noon to 4 p.m.
Quarterbacks are scheduled to work out Saturday with the skill-position group. Their session centers on scripted throws and movement drills in front of all 32 teams, with coverage airing on NFL Network and streaming services.
The 40-yard dash is conducted within each position group’s scheduled workout window, but for quarterbacks, the throwing session remains the focal point.
Why Ty Simpson Is Throwing While Fernando Mendoza Waits
Not every quarterback will throw in Indianapolis.
Projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza has opted to wait until his April 1 pro day to conduct a full scripted throwing session. After leading Indiana to a 16-0 season and a national championship, Mendoza’s draft position appears solidified. For quarterbacks in that position, avoiding unnecessary risk can be the smarter path.
Ty Simpson is taking a different approach. The Alabama quarterback plans to throw Saturday, and he has more at stake. Simpson completed 64.5% of his passes in 2025 for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. He finished his college career with 15 total starts, including one full season as the Crimson Tide’s starter.
That limited starting experience leaves evaluators wanting additional confirmation. The combine gives Simpson an opportunity to display rhythm, timing, and consistency in a controlled environment against unfamiliar receivers. For quarterbacks projected anywhere from the back half of Round 1 to Day 2, a sharp session can solidify first-round consideration.
The contrast between Mendoza and Simpson highlights the broader strategy prospects weigh each year. Established top selections protect their status. Quarterbacks still climbing use Indianapolis as a chance to remove doubt. There is a lot to prove come Saturday.
