Ty Simpson Declares for the Draft: Instant Reactions and Best Team Fits

Summary

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The McShay Show – Episode Summary

Episode: "Ty Simpson Declares for the Draft: Instant Reactions and Best Team Fits"
Date: January 7, 2026
Host: Todd McShay
Guest: Steve Muench
Podcast: The Ringer

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Overview

This flash episode delivers Todd McShay and fellow draft analyst Steve Muench’s immediate reactions to Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson’s surprise decision to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. The discussion dives into the reasoning, implications, and NFL fit for Simpson—a talent who generated national buzz but carries notable question marks. The episode focuses on talent evaluation, the risks of early entry, NFL historical parallels, and which NFL teams could be the best landing spots.

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Key Discussion Points

Initial Reaction: Surprise and Skepticism

• Both McShay and Muench express surprise and concern at Simpson’s early entry into the draft, emphasizing that more college experience tends to support long-term NFL success.
• (00:51) Steve Muench likens his emotions to Pete Carroll at the Mark Sanchez press conference:

  “I've never felt more like Pete Carroll than I do today. It feels like the Mark Sanchez press conference all over again.”

• Muench repeatedly vocalizes disappointment, believing Simpson would’ve been better served staying at Alabama for another year.

The Advisory Committee and Simpson’s Decision

• Simpson’s father (Jason Simpson, head coach at UT Martin) claims all NFL GMs they spoke to had him as a first-rounder; none said second round. (03:35)
• There was strong interest in Simpson from other top programs (rumored Power 4 conference transfer offers).
• Lucrative NIL opportunities were available if he stayed, which adds complexity to the decision.

Ty Simpson’s 2025 Season – Performance Recap

• 64.5% completion on passes
• 3,600 yards passing, 28 TDs, 5 INT; 11-4 record; led Alabama to CFB playoffs quarterfinal (05:26)
• However, a notable dip in performance over the final four games:
  • 57% completion
  • 158.3 yds/gm
  • 6 TD, 1 INT
  • Notorious ball security struggles (five consecutive games with lost fumbles)

Scouting Report: Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

• Elite Processing and Footwork:

  “When he was playing well… there was not a quarterback in the country playing at Ty Simpson's level. … He’s shown elite, elite processing, footwork, command at the line of scrimmage.” – Todd McShay (09:36)

• Pre/Post-Snap Mastery: Reads defenses, audibles, NFL concepts—rare for a college QB.
• Mid-Season Peak: Through nine games: ~70% completion, 21 TDs, 1 INT, four-game stretch defeating ranked SEC opponents.
• Toughness and Grit: Carried Alabama with minimal run game and inconsistent supporting cast.

Weaknesses

• Small Sample Size: Only 15 career starts.
• Lack of Elite Physical Traits: “There's an absence… of an elite physical trait. And then there's this final stretch of the season you've got to dig into.” (13:59)
• Late-Season Decline: Defenses adjusted; exposed by opposing schemes (citing Oklahoma/Brent Venables' adjustments).
• Deep Ball Inconsistency: Some brilliant throws, but many misses.
• Ball Security: Fumble issues highlighted as a genuine concern.
• Undersized: Listed at 6'2", actually closer to 6’1”.

Notable Comparison & Quote

• McShay likens Simpson’s midseason tape to a young Joe Burrow:

  “He was doing stuff I hadn’t seen since Joe Burrow.” — Todd McShay (11:22)

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The “Experience” Debate: Start Count and Historical Precedents

• McShay extensively details how nearly every successful NFL starting QB started 30+ college games (16:10)
• Outliers: Mahomes (29 starts), Josh Allen (25) succeeded thanks in part to excellent early pro development. Both had "superhuman" traits.
• Most common “low experience” first-round QBs that failed to develop:
  • Mitch Trubisky (13 starts)
  • Anthony Richardson (13 starts)
• Simpson’s experience (15 starts, 31 total games played including backup) is close to Trubisky, which is worrisome.

  “If you're trying to make an argument… Ty did grow up around ball his whole life… but nothing that points that you say, well, he was there for six years. It’s not that dissimilar [from Trubisky].” – McShay (20:18)

• Muench ponders “Alabama quarterback” stigma, referencing Mac Jones and limited pro upside even after historic college seasons. (21:03)

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Draft Stock and NFL Team Fits

• McShay notes that no matter current grade, Simpson can rise with strong interviews (“on the board” performance) at the combine and pro day. (24:46)

  “I would be very surprised if this whole process ends and Ty Simpson's not a first round pick.” — McShay (25:31)

• But they draw a careful line: Where Simpson is drafted may diverge from where he can have long-term NFL success. Steve emphasizes,

  “There’s not a lot of areas that he can really help himself in the pre-draft process, because I do think he is… That’s his max.” (26:39)

Best Potential Team Fits (34:10–36:48)

• Miami Dolphins (Pick 11): Intriguing if Mike McDaniel stays, but line needs work.
• LA Rams (Pick 13, and possibly later): Best-case scenario if he can develop behind Stafford and under Sean McVay (“if he’s going to play for Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford’s playing another year—okay, now he’s a genius” – Muench, 31:39).
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Pick 21): Mixed feelings; need a solution but not an ideal QB incubator.
• Cleveland Browns (Pick 28): Post-Stefanski regime doesn’t inspire confidence.
• Jets & Arizona: Briefly discussed as wild cards if they move around the board.

Miami and LA Rams are positioned as the most attractive developmental situations.

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Philosophical Reflection: Process vs. Outcome

• McShay and Muench underscore the distinction between maximizing draft status and maximizing professional success.

  “If you're talking about wanting to get drafted earlier, Ty Simpson should come out now. If you're talking about wanting to be successful for the long run in the NFL, that’s a different thing. And I think he should have gone back [to school].” — Muench (29:19)

• McShay is blunt:

  “This decision by Ty Simpson is a failure to take the long-term view… I think this is a failure to put himself in the best position to have long-term success in the NFL.” (29:41)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Elite Traits: (09:36)
  “You look across the league... the guys who have been successful, they all have an elite trait… Simpson doesn’t really have that physical trait.”
• On Ball Security: (13:59)
  “We talked about the five straight games with fumbles inside the pocket.”
• On Alabama QBs: (21:03)
  “Are you worried about the history of Alabama quarterbacks recently?” (Muench)
• On First-Round Probability: (25:31)
  “I would be very surprised if this whole process ends and Ty Simpson’s not a first round pick.” (McShay)
• On the Rams Scenario: (31:39)
  “If he’s going to play for Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford’s playing another year—okay, now he’s a genius. Now he broke the code.” (Muench)
• On Long-Term Success: (29:41)
  “This decision by Ty Simpson fails to put him in the best position to have long-term success in the NFL. That doesn’t mean he’s going to fail. But I’m a trends guy.” (McShay)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:40 – Breaking the news, emotional reaction
• 03:35 – Simpson family statement & first-round grades
• 05:26 – Simpson’s 2025 season stats & late slump
• 09:00–13:59 – Scouting breakdown: what’s elite, what’s worrisome
• 16:10–20:18 – The “number of starts” argument & historical context
• 21:03 – Alabama QB skepticism, Mac Jones comparison
• 24:46–27:06 – Draft process—how Simpson will interview, rise/fall
• 29:02 – Tiering this QB class, why McShay wanted another year at Bama
• 31:39–36:48 – NFL landing spots: Rams, Dolphins, etc.

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Conclusion & Tone

Both hosts maintain an analytical yet emotionally invested tone—they’re rooting for Simpson but believe this is a risky, perhaps shortsighted, leap to the NFL. They balance hope for Simpson’s future with a wariness shaped by the history of similar prospects. This makes the pod a must-listen for anyone interested in the nuances of NFL quarterback evaluation and the draft process.

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Summary prepared to capture the detailed discussions, tone, and essential insights from “The McShay Show.”

Transcript

[Todd McShay]

Foreign. We're breaking into regularly scheduled programming. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is declared and we got thoughts. It's a flash pod and just 106 days until the NFL draft. M. You good?

[Steve Muench]

I'm good, man.

[Todd McShay]

I roll that beat.

[Steve Muench]

T.

[Todd McShay]

Ty Simpson declared. I don't want to say we're stunned. Oh, what's that? What? What was that original. Let's go back to that original emotion. You did this.

[Steve Muench]

I listen. I've never felt more like Pete Carroll than I do today.

[Todd McShay]

Why?

[Steve Muench]

It feels like the Mark Sanchez press conference all over again.

[Todd McShay]

The McShay show is presented by FanDuel. FanDuel's got it all. Same game parlays, quick bets for jumping in live and your way so you can build the bet that fits your play. Plus, don't miss out on all the action during the rest of the college football playoffs. Download the FanDuel app or head to FanDuel.com McShay to get started, must be 21 and older in present select states or 18 and older in present D.C. kentucky or Wyoming. Gambling problem. Call 1-800- gambler or visit our G help.com call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org chat in Connecticut.

[Steve Muench]

You know, great kid, talented player, has a chance to be a really good NFL quarterback. But we know this kind of the decision goes against the grain of what we, we, we understand. You know, quarterbacks that stay in college longer are generally more successful. We've talked about it. You're the snaps guy, man. I can't wait for the snaps guys take on this. Because, and I agree with you, like I give you a hard time.

[Todd McShay]

I, I do.

[Steve Muench]

And I enjoy giving you a hard time.

[Todd McShay]

I know.

[Steve Muench]

But I agree with you, the longer you stay, the better off you are. And we're going to get into where he could go and what that, all that stuff and what his dad said. I get all that. What's your best chance at long term success? And I'm rooting for him. I wanted to have long term success and that's going back to school. So I don't, I don't. I'm not loving the decision right now and I don't mean to be a negative.

[Todd McShay]

No, no, no.

[Steve Muench]

But that's kind of how I feel.

[Todd McShay]

This episode is brought to you by the Home Depot. The Home Depot is here to help you create the perfect game day energy, whether you're hosting friends in your backyard, turning your living room into the ultimate viewing space, or even hitting the tailgate. Download the Home Depot app and get fast and free delivery on thousands of items plus tons of services digital tools and guides to help you get your project done. Free Delivery on over 2 million online items subject to availability. See Home Depot.com the Home Depot how doers get more done Let let's go through the kind of the timeline, the details and then let's let's start talking about this and what what it means for Tai. What general managers and scouting directors and scouts and and everyone who's involved in the decision making process. Like what what are they looking at? What do we see? Where could he land and all sorts of things. But I, I thought it was interesting. Pete Thamel had an article right. And and nobody's, I mean they're, they're a handful of people are really good at what they do. A lot of them very small handful of people that are really good at what they do with information. Being an info guy and Pete's on the Mount Rushmore as far as I'm concerned and certainly is the guy in college football. So he comes out and says that his remember Ty Simpson grew up around ball dad is a, is a lifer football coach, current head coach at the at UT Martin. Right. Jason Simpson is his name. His quotes whether you like the dad being involved in the process or not. And I get kind of both sides here. His quote was that his or he he says that his son received first round grades from every NFL general manager that they contacted. Okay. The quote was nobody said second round. Jason Simpson also said his son had offers to transfer to other power power for schools. Which I think it's a different subject for a different day. But why wouldn't it just be as simple as going back to Alabama next year. I know they have a five star recruited quarterback. I Caitlin jumps out right away.

[Steve Muench]

Right.

[Todd McShay]

It's interesting that stood out. I get the because okay. Reminder for people what happens is when you're an underclassman you put your name into the advisory committee. The advisory committee comes back and says one of three things. You have a first round grade, a second round grade or go back to school. He's not indicating that it was the advisory committee. Now granted this process gets expedited when you're playing late in the college football playoff. I'm not sure the mechanics on that in terms of when can you put in the. I think it's five names per team is the max you're allowed to put in. Excuse me. And, and so it, it says that they contacted meaning the this Ty Simpson, you know, probably Himself agent different people. His team, his. His team of folks. But he said he had other power four schools knocking on his door for to go in the transfer portal, including Miami, Oregon and Tennessee. He didn't say that those. There were other reports. Okay. The Oregon one's interesting too because of Dante Moore where we're his decision post cfp. I think we all are seeing it. That is a, that's an Acela train. If you live on the east coast, you know that's going to get you from, from Boston to New York a lot faster than the, the local stopping train. It's an Amtrak deal. Pete Seuss is dad okay? The quote was there were very, very lucrative opportunities to play another year of college football, said Jason Simpson. Okay, now look at the numbers. 65, 64.5% of his passes. He completed 11 and 4 record. He led Clemson to the quarterfinals of the college football Alabama. Did I say Clemson? I'm looking at this. It says Crimson Tide. Sorry, Alabama. Nearly 3,600 yards passing, 28 touchdowns, five interceptions. Okay. Last four games though, just 57% average. 158.3 yards per game passing, six touchdowns, one interception. Also had that stretch of five consecutive games where fumbles were. Were lost when trying to maneuver within, escape the pocket, pass rushers coming out and get. Getting him. And then in the Rose bowl when he was taken off and running, he had one knocked out as well when he cracked his rip. So that's a snapshot. Okay, let me give you my scouting report a very. I don't think anyone's here for like the deep dive in Ty Simpson. We have months now until April to get into all the nitty gritty. But I was on Colin Cowherd earlier today and he kind of like, you know, elevator pitched me a little bit. What. And his point was as only he can do, he's the best. I, I absolutely love Colin. I've worked, I've sat, I've sat, you know, at the desk with him. I've done shows even before Colin was at the level of Colin that he is now. I've always appreciated his, his ability to relate sports subjects to real life, to whatever it is and make you think a little differently. Right. This one wasn't that deep. It was more so that he's become a believer in all of his years of experience being around sports. And I think while I think we're a little bit more advanced in our tape study and those sorts of things, I think when you're, when you're this involved, intimately involved in sports, you, you create your own theories on, on what can lead to player success. And one of his is that like if you look across the league and the guys who have been successful, they all have an elite trait or a high percentage of them have an elite trait. Josh Allen's arm side, Patrick Mahomes escapability. You know, there are elite qualities. So he was asking me, it was a really fair question, what is his elite trait? Ironically or not ever. Interestingly, I don't ne, I don't. It's not a physical trait, but there are elite aspects to what he does when he was playing well. And I want to remind people there was not a quarterback in the country playing at Ty Simpson's level. Through nine games, through nine games he was completing around 70% of his throws. More importantly to me, through nine games he, he threw 21 touchdown passes, one interception. Through nine games he had a four game stretch Ty Simpson did, where I don't know if it's the only time in SEC history, but it was like forever since they beat four consecutive SEC ranked opponents. Georgia, Vandy, Missouri, Tennessee. Okay, so you look at all those things and, and then you start to remember what was Ty Simpson and why the hype train was Heisman talk, top five pick, all that. But there was always this in the back of your mind, well, he's only got nine starts. He's only got six starts, seven starts, eight stars. You know, but when I started to think and I had to answer on the fly, it's a, it's the quarterback skill. The way he was playing the position was what was elite. Okay. And I kind of jotted down some notes and what do you mean here, Todd? I mean he's shown. You want to talk about elite, elite processing, footwork, command at the line of scrimmage. Remember I was telling you that they, they were doing, he and Ryan Grubb, the offensive coordinator were doing things that you only typically see in the NFL. Pre snap deciphering, creating matchups, get, getting in and out of plays. Then post snap. Also I would categorize in the elite is deciphering defenses, knowing where to go with his eyes, quick processing, all those things. I also, we can get into, into it a lot more. I also want people to understand there is a, there's a ballet aspect to playing the quarterback position, the scheduling of it. Not many quarterbacks come out of college with elite, elite level scheduling. And by that I mean timing, footwork, all marrying up with the concepts, the routes, the reads. He was doing it at a different Level, man. A level I hadn't seen. And I said it at the time and I stand, I stand by it. You go watch those first nine games throughout that process, the middle of the season, he was doing stuff I hadn't seen since Joe Burrow.

[Steve Muench]

Okay.

[Todd McShay]

And then you throw on top of that, the touch, the layering, right? Intermediate throws, leading receivers, all those things. Okay. And I, I would argue compete level, toughness, all there too. Now here's the negative side and we'll get to the 15 starts, I promise. I'm not burying the lead and it's clearly the elephant in the room, but I got stuff on that too. He's undersized. Not, not red flag. It's not. This isn't Bryce Young, you know, this isn't Russell Wilson coming out. But he's listed six, two. I stood next to him, it's around my height. Six one maybe got a half inch on me. Listed 208. Fine. Much more importantly, I saw a quarterback who tried to, who started to try as the past. That first nine games, when they got to Oklahoma, you got this sense of a few things. One, it became an absolute given we ain't running the football. Alabama finished 125th in the FBS. There's only 136 teams, folks in rushing, rushing offense. I also, it's hard to debate. Ryan Williams is his best, most talented wide receiver. He got the yips, not catching the ball, confidence down, not getting open. Something was going on. The third part of it is, and this is where it started to become obvious at Oklahoma. And it took a Brent Venables to kind of open Pandora's box, if you will. When you're an inexperienced quarterback, there's not a lot of tape to go off of. There's not tendencies to study. So now nine games in, Brent Venables gets his hands on this thing is like okay, when we, when someone does this, he likes to go to this. If we show this, if we overload here, he's going to slide protection. The read is there. You saw in that Oklahoma game a high, high level defensive coordinator start to figure out the tendencies. And you, Steve Mensch tell me, have told me all season long, while there's a lot of talent there, the past protection's been inconsistent. So there's vulnerabilities, there's holes, there's ways to get to him. And while I do believe he has a stronger arm than people think and he's more mobile than people think, this isn't Lamar. This isn't. You know what I Mean, so this isn't a guy who if everything breaks down, I'm still going to go pick up eight. So protection, I don't have to worry about the run that much. I could stop the run on the way to the quarterback and now I got to beat. And so everyone after Oklahoma was like, oh, well, oh, I, oh, now I see it, you know. And so things started to fall apart and the pressure's mounting. And by the way, he's carrying Alabama, but how long can you carry, you know, same stuff we talked about with Nussmeier last year a little bit, but I think even more pronounced if I'm being honest. And then the deep ball accuracy was a concern. Spotty, great, great throws. Couple great throws to Ryan Williams. That, that deep ball the first drive, I think it was against Georgia the first time around. Beautiful ball right down the mid middle of the field. Drop. But it wasn't all drops. There were, there were just as there were more off target throws on deep balls than there were drops. If you're looking at just the incompletions. And I have. And then finally the ball security. We talked about the five straight games with fumbles inside the pocket. So there's a lot of pros. There's an absence though of an elite physical trait. And then there's this final stretch of the season that you have to really do some dig deep, deep digging into to try to figure out is it circumstantial or is this going to carry over to the NFL. Right. And then here's the last thing and I'll let you go. And I apologize for as I always.

[Steve Muench]

No, go ahead.

[Todd McShay]

The NFL's quarterbacks of note I went through and I and I condensed the version so it didn't have 50 names. And I could do this quickly for you because I knew you'd be waiting so you could bust my balls after the show or during the show. But I know it's coming. But you know you love it too. Deep down in places I do like talking about, you know, you love it. Okay, notable NFL starters with college experience. Right. Bo Nix is in the 60 plus group. Guys who are having success.

[Steve Muench]

Big number.

[Todd McShay]

Yeah. Who have had or are having success. And some of them may like maybe this wasn't their best year, but they've had, they've experienced a good deal of NFL success. Or it's one year this year. Whatever it is, you'll get the list. How about the guys with 50 plus starts? Cam Ward hasn't experienced it yet, but there's not many People. I talked to an NFL head coach today for 55 minutes and he was putting Cam's name in with Drake, Jaden, some other guys. Yeah, I'm just, just talent wise coming out and what, what he thinks they could be. Okay, that's cool.

[Steve Muench]

I love it.

[Todd McShay]

Really cool. 50 plus starts is Cam Ward, Jaden Daniels. 40 plus starts, Baker, Purdy Penix Jr. Herbert Hertz, Dart. 30 plus starts, Cousins, Gino Goff, Daniel Jones, Trevor Stafford, Lamar Dak, Caleb Love. It's just about every. That is every good starter in the league except. Did you say see Chuck? I did not yet. I did not put it. He wasn't in there of the list, but he was.

[Steve Muench]

I would make this note about Chuck that his starts may not be. You know, I think he's an interesting cat because he played seven years of college football. So even though he, he doesn't have the starts, maybe.

[Todd McShay]

Around like. I think he was around like 20. He was 20 plus. Yeah, I thought he was closer to 34 or 5. Yeah, around. Around 30. I want to say 28, 30 somewhere in that range and seven years of college football off. There were three that are starting in the NFL right now, two of which are the best, like the. They're on the Rushmore that are sub 30, but both are 25 plus. Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, they're the outliers, if you will. Right. But 29 and 25 respectively. Allen and Mahomes, but they're also superhuman.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah, they're Colin Coward guys. They have traits multiple.

[Todd McShay]

And beyond that, beyond that. They both had great early development in their career. Mahomes sat out that year, had Alex Smith, had Andy Reid, Josh Allen, had Brian Dable. You know how highly I regard him. I. Yeah, send your, send your ads. And Bryce Young was the other one. And Bryce Young's doing okay. Or in the playoffs. Rough start, but regardless, the problem is when you get the 15 starts immediately and, and rightfully so, two names come to mind immediately. You can go with Mark Sanchez, you can go with Dwayne Haskins. But I think the two most immediate that come to everyone's mind, Mitch Trubisky, Anthony Richardson. And I even did some deep diving.

[Steve Muench]

Especially Richardson, because the tools there, I mean he is. He's a unicorn in terms of tools.

[Todd McShay]

Superhuman. That's.

[Steve Muench]

That's the one that jumps out to me the most because he, I mean this guy could be great if he was able to unlock it.

[Todd McShay]

Trubisky played four seasons at UNC just like Ty Simpson did. Richardson played three Seasons at Florida. All right, so, but at the end of the day, Trubisky played 19 games as a backup in 2014 and 2015. After red shirting in 2013, finished with 32 games played, 13 starts, 19 others played. Okay, where Anthony Richardson only 24 total games. And I'm saying all this because if you're trying to make an argument, you're saying, yeah, but, and, and by the way, Trubisky was 8 and 5 his final year. Anthony Richardson was 6 and 6 his final year. So when you're trying to make an argument, yeah, but this guy's different. It's different. It's, it can be if you want to, if you want to bend the. You know what I mean? Because Ty did grow up around ball his whole Life. Ty was 11 and 4 his final year led them to the quarterfinals despite no run game. Some chaos in the program, I know, but also, I think it's important that he played 16 games as a backup. So 31 games played, not dissimilar from the 32 from Trubisky. So there's nothing that points that you say, well, he was there for six years. He bounced around like shock. It's a different, it's not that dissimilar. You can argue it's more, it's more similar to Trubisky than it is to Anthony Richardson. But Anthony Richardson's more superhuman like Mahomes and Allen, where Trubisky was not and Ty Simpson is not. So there we are. What do you got?

[Steve Muench]

Are you worried about the history of Alabama quarterbacks recently?

[Todd McShay]

Not really, especially. No, I'm not really, I'm not. Because he's not Jalen Milro. He's not Bryce Young. Played under a different regime. I, I would, if anything, I'm looking more towards Penx out of Washington and who, who Debor and Ryan Grubb been around than I am. Alabama and under Nick Saban, I guess. Right?

[Steve Muench]

I, I guess. I don't know, man. I, it, I look at that and it kind of startles me a little bit. And, and I know you hate this one and I get it because the tape is different and they had a better supporting cast, but I, I, and you can't evaluate a can't player. Yeah, you can't, you can't do too much of it. But it's Mac Jones, man. I mean, look at what Mac Jones did in his one year as a starting quarterback for Alabama. Undefeated national championship win over Ohio State. Set the single season record for completion percentage through 41 touchdowns.

[Todd McShay]

All four of those first round receivers.

[Steve Muench]

When he was there, he had, he had devonte Smith.

[Todd McShay]

Yep.

[Steve Muench]

Who was the Heisman Trophy winner that year. Yeah. Something like 23 touchdowns and eight 1800 receiving yards. Outrageous. Jalen Waddle was played for six games and the other guy they had was John Michi. That was, wasn't as good as you thought. Yeah, yeah, I hear you, but not when I think about that group. I, I am like you. I thought it was a little bit deeper and more talented, but it wasn't.

[Todd McShay]

Devonte, Judy and Rugs came out the year before. That's right.

[Steve Muench]

Right. And devonte was outrageous. Outrageous that year. Running game way better. They had Naji, that was a running back that year. He was, he was really good I think at 1400 yards and 26 touchdowns. So they ran the ball better, the offensive line was better. All of those things are true.

[Todd McShay]

Yeah, I think that's the difference. That was a program that was always elite on defense, elite in the run game and had similar level, if not better wide receivers they had this year. And Ryan Williams, like Isaiah Horton's a really good player. Third round pick, something like third, you know, Jermaine, Jeremy Bernard, who I love is still probably a second round, you know.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah, I don't know.

[Todd McShay]

I don't know.

[Steve Muench]

It's not apples to apples, but I have a hard time believing it's not going to creep into some of these guys minds. I have a hard time when you're looking at this, that whether. And again it's going to be Trubisky, it's going to be Richardson, it's going to be Jones, it's going to be guys like that where it creeps into their mind like Trey Lance said. No, you know, you look at these players that would. Some of these other quarterbacks, you're not even mentioning the guys that didn't, you know, there's other players that didn't work out either. You know what I mean? And it just, I look at it and it, man, there's a lot of red flags here and a lot of concerns and I'm just super bummed that he didn't decide to go the other route and go back. And I guess, you know, we could talk about where he's going to go. The thing that's interesting to me about this, now that he's out. We saw two quarterbacks kind of climb boards last year and that was Jackson Dart out of Ole Miss and Tyler Shuck out of Louisville. Both of them are bigger, I think more athletic guys. Than that show during the pre draft process and maybe they were more impressive in interviews than teams expected. If I'm going in or interview Ty Simpson my ex expectation is I'm gonna get a high level football IQ guy because again I'm with you and I know this is a polarizing world word in, in the quarterback world but processing, that's his superpower. That's what I see. And I know there's just going to be some people critical of that because of the college game versus the NFL game. I don't care. That's what I see. So my expectation is yeah, he's going to be great in that interview room and if he's not great on the board and he's not great in the interview then he can hurt himself. But how's he going to help himself? He can't help himself by doing a great by by interviewing well and being great on the board because we already expect that.

[Todd McShay]

You and I know how this process works though. What I know if you have a second round grade on him right now and then you get me to indie and in Indy he gets on the board 15 minute inter and he ws people there. Then they start flying private planes to Tuscaloosa and they start getting him on planes up to you know first class up to New York, out to la, to you know, Miami, wherever he's traveling. Pittsburgh.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah.

[Todd McShay]

And he spends a day with them and they talk ball and then he goes to the private workouts where he throws a little. He's got a little more juice than people think and he's so like everything's.

[Steve Muench]

Like.

[Todd McShay]

You know he's going to be I shouldn't say. You know I would be very surprised if this whole process ends and Ty Simpson's not a first round pick I do like but we're having two different.

[Steve Muench]

We are, we're transitioning to another conversation here which I'm good with.

[Todd McShay]

So no, no, no transferring away from.

[Steve Muench]

Long term success into where he will get drafted. Those are two different things is he.

[Todd McShay]

Capped.

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[Todd McShay]

We saw in those nine games when he was playing the best ball of his life and is that the peak of it? Can you, can you ever have success with him if the supporting cast isn't outstanding around him? I get, I think that's a question that everyone's going to ask and I want to go back to.

[Steve Muench]

Go ahead, I'll answer it. I say he is. But that's pretty damn good. It is be capped at that and I'll be okay with it if I'm getting the quarterback that he was at times this year. Awesome. I am all set. Give me that guy all day. You're going to win a lot of games with that kind of a quarterback. But that again, it goes back to what I was saying. There's not a lot of areas that he can really help himself in the pre draft process because I do think he is. That's his, that's his, that's his Max.

[Todd McShay]

I'll do plenty of table pounding for him and I just spent a portion of the show doing some of that. Right. We always have to recognize that there's going to be, there's going to be the guys on the other side in that draft room pounding the table. Wait till 2027.

[Steve Muench]

Yes.

[Todd McShay]

Wait till we see that list I'm going to give you. I was texting with was Texas thing with said head coach today trying to make a point. You ready for this list? Arch Sellers saying Sorsby car, C.J. carr, Levitt. I am Alava Matier, Mensa, Mayava Lagway, Raola Childs, Hoover, etc. That's what I texted this head coach today. But I'm saying when you're debating, when you're just, you know, this is what could be available next year. So is this year the year to maybe build around before?

[Steve Muench]

Do you think that played a role in, in the Simpson camp's decision? I don't. I mean I guess that's hypothetical. Maybe we shouldn't go there. But.

[Todd McShay]

I think it, I think it absolutely could have.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah, I think it could have.

[Todd McShay]

Yeah. You get lost in that group pretty easily when you don't have special traits. You don't get lost in this group because in the same conversations this morning it's like, okay, who's after those two? Mendoza and more. It's like I love Garrett Nussmeier but you know, a lot to overcome the durability, size doesn't have the arm of all these. You know, Becca can't get on board with all the, like the other stuff. But play is playing well, like what? You know.

[Steve Muench]

Well, let me ask you this.

[Todd McShay]

We start into like day three, guys, man, I can't do it. So, so yes, you're a tears guy.

[Steve Muench]

Right. So your, your top tier, I would assume in this class is Morgan of Oregon and Mendoza, right?

[Todd McShay]

Yes.

[Steve Muench]

So your second tier is it Simpson by himself, Stars. And okay, I didn't know if Carson Beck was creeping in that conversation because it's going to be interesting to see, man, I'm telling you, it's going to be interesting. I, I, and I'm with you, but I think this is, I don't know this to me I'm, again, there's no other way of saying it. I'm bummed that, that he's making this decision and I get what it means. In terms of your draft position, again, two different conversations. If you're talking about wanting to get drafted earlier, Ty Simpson should come out now. If you're talking about wanting to be successful for the long run in the NFL, that's a different thing. And I think he should have gone back.

[Todd McShay]

Yeah. And, and I'm here for the conversation about what's best for the, the long term NFL. And I think, I think it was, I think this is a failure. This decision by Ty Simpson is a failure to take the long term view. And I'm not even talking about money. I'm talking about just when you're, when you're my age or 70 or 80 and you're on the rocking chair. Yes. You want to look, you're going to make a lot. You've already made a good amount of money. You're going to make a ton of money. Even if you don't even play that second contract. Don't you want to put yourself in the best position to have success in the NFL? And I think this decision by Ty Simpson fails to put him in the, in the best position to have long term success in the NFL. And I hate to say that because his dad's a football coach and I know everyone's trying to make the right decision by him. That doesn't mean he's going to fail. But I'm a trends guy. What more do we have than history trends relying on our experience in this position. And when I'm talking to an NFL head coach or I'm talking to a gm, you talk to parcels about, I don't want a roster full of exceptions. Yeah, this is why we rely so heavily on these things, man, because we've learned from our Mistakes.

[Steve Muench]

I will say there's, there's one big exception here. And I don't want to jump you because again, we don't really talk a lot before we get on here because we want it to be natural. But one of the things you briefly mentioned, because I, I immediately you texted me and said, let's do a response. And I said, I mean, I don't want to go on there, be overly critical. I'm a little down about this. I don't feel great about it. And you said, well, we could talk about the positive stuff and we could talk about the teams that could take him maybe late in the first. And you, the team you brought up was the Rams. Now, that is a big exception. Now, if you're telling me, because this is a big deal for every.

[Todd McShay]

The first thing that jumped in my mind.

[Steve Muench]

So if Sean, if he's going to play for Sean McVeigh and Matthew Stafford's playing another year. Okay, now he's a genius. Well, now he's a genius. Now he, he broke the code. He put himself in the best position to succeed, but, man, what a crapshoot, right? Like, is he like, oh, like, if, if it happens and it goes that way, he could really stick it to mention, be like, hey, you said it came out so early. Look at me now. I'm on. I'm with this great play caller. I learned from one of the best that ever played the game, a future hall of Famer, all of that stuff that could happen. So I want to say that is the one exception. A lot of these other teams, I just don't know. Like, are we super excited if he goes to the Steelers?

[Todd McShay]

I don't know.

[Steve Muench]

Like the Browns. I would have felt better. Stefan was still there. Now that he's not, I don't know. Like, I just. There's not a great lot of great landing spots. I mean, Arizona coming back in maybe and trying to get him late. I don't know.

[Todd McShay]

Let's go through them. Miami sitting at 11, by the way, would be a very interesting fit.

[Steve Muench]

It would be. That is an interesting fit. It is.

[Todd McShay]

As of airing this show, I think Mike McDaniel's still the, the head coach. Right.

[Steve Muench]

And you, you feel good about him that. That being the case. Right. You feel like that or better you.

[Todd McShay]

Can, given all the circumstances and everything. But I've got the word is that he's probably going to get another, Another shot at this. But I, I can't say 100%.

[Steve Muench]

Okay.

[Todd McShay]

I do have people close to the, like, I feel Good about it. But I'm not no one. No guarantees.

[Steve Muench]

Fascinating fit. Better fix the offensive line.

[Todd McShay]

No question.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah.

[Todd McShay]

Rams at 13 or currently they pick at 29. And depending on how long that run is in the. In the playoffs, it could be like 22 or it could be 32. 32, right. Yeah. So that's interesting to watch. It's too bad that Indianapolis traded that pick for Reavis island because I think Shane Stichen, that would have been an awesome pick. Fit.

[Steve Muench]

Okay.

[Todd McShay]

They had this 16th pick. It now is owned by the New York Jets. Pit. The Sauce Gardener. Did I say Revis Island? Sauce Gardener. Yeah. Yeah. I didn't catch it.

[Steve Muench]

Yep.

[Todd McShay]

Yeah. Sauce Gardener, Jets Islands. I'm having a hell of a week with jets fans, jets media.

[Steve Muench]

Oh man, they are.

[Todd McShay]

Yeah. I am. I am glad I was able to unite jets media. I think it's been a long time since they've all been on the same page. And you know what? Tell me when I'm wrong. 21 Pittsburgh. That's interesting.

[Steve Muench]

Is it?

[Todd McShay]

I don't know.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah. I don't know if I like that.

[Todd McShay]

It's only interesting to me because they very clearly have a quarterback need because I think that this is Aaron Rodgers last run.

[Steve Muench]

Yes.

[Todd McShay]

And to get. And to get a TY SIMPSON At 21, if you were still there, you're like all right, but is it another Trubisky.

[Steve Muench]

I actually think it's more interesting if Rogers comes back for another year. I actually that's where it gets more interesting to me. Sit this kid. Let him like sit them all. Let you know every quarterback.

[Todd McShay]

But never. But never. I know the answer is never.

[Steve Muench]

I know I live in a world.

[Todd McShay]

Mahomes. The last one, Jordan Love. Yeah.

[Steve Muench]

Is that after Moms?

[Todd McShay]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. But. But it's the. It's like a 20 to 1 proposition of first round quarterbacks that don't see the field as a starter in their rookie year. And then Cleveland kind of hope not. Stefanski's out. But Cleveland is currently picking at 28. Oh, the Jaguars from the trade with. Who would have thought, by the way, the Jaguars would have this kind of year after that move for a player that really didn't contribute a ton and that Cleveland would kind of look like geniuses from that move, but would have yet another Brown season, you know. Yep. But they did it to get in these kinds of positions.

[Steve Muench]

I do wonder if it catches up to them long term. That's a conversation for another pod.

[Todd McShay]

We'll see.

[Steve Muench]

So far so good.

[Todd McShay]

So Miami Rams, Pittsburgh, Cleveland. Anyone else I'm missing? And Miami. The pick started 11, go to 13. Rams. Rams have another one in the. In the 20s or early 30s. Late first. Cleveland has one at 28. And Pittsburgh kind of sitting in the middle at 21.

[Steve Muench]

Other than the teams that might do what the Giants didn't and get back in.

[Todd McShay]

No.

[Steve Muench]

I mean, Arizona at 3 is interesting. If they can. If they can find a way to get back.

[Todd McShay]

If he starts, it could be a Jackson Dart deal. Yeah.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah. So there's. There's that. You could look at it that way. But of the. As it sits now, I don't. I don't think you're missing anyone. Miami and the Rams are super interesting to me.

[Todd McShay]

Miami, those are the two best fits.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah. They have other needs and I don't know. I feel like 11 seems rich, but he's a court. I don't know. It's going to be interesting. It's going to be interesting and.

[Todd McShay]

Well, it's time to turn the page. Ties in.

[Steve Muench]

I just got to get over. Right. Like, I just can't.

[Todd McShay]

That's what I'm saying. This is therapy. We've got a show Thursday night breaking in last five minutes of the. Of the first College Football Playoff semifinal game, which is Miami versus Ole Miss. Come join us live on YouTube. We'll be back Friday night. By then, I promise you men will have flushed this out of his system. I'm equally. I don't want to say disappointed. I just kind of believe in Ty Simpson, and I wanted to see another year for him to develop. Hone. I always say rinse, refine, repeat, and come back, whether it's Alabama or somewhere else, with kind of a better supporting cast and. And take his game to another level. Even if it meant he. He's going to be late first this year. He probably would be late first, worst case, early second next year.

[Steve Muench]

Yes.

[Todd McShay]

But we got to get it out of our system. We got two huge shows coming up, and we're coming off two of the biggest shows that we've had all year long. And so, like, it's time to go. So anything else?

[Steve Muench]

I think that's it. I. I want people to understand this. We root for everyone. Everyone's like, oh, you have your favorites. We root for every prospect to do well.

[Todd McShay]

We don't like everyone because we are rooting for him.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah. Yes. It's. I don't know.

[Todd McShay]

All right, we will see you guys Thursday night. Appreciate you coming in. To us breaking into programming and as Always, Mench is five stars. You can't even debate it. Must be 21 plus and present in select states. For Kansas in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino, or 18/ plus and present in D.C. kentucky or Wyoming. GAMBLING PROBLEM Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit rg-help.com, call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org chat in Connecticut or visit mdgamblinghelp.org in Maryland. Hope is here. Visit gamblinghelplinema.org or call 1-800-327-5050 for 24. 7 support in Massachusetts or call 1-877-8-Hopeny or text Hopeny in New York Sat.