If any one player in the 2026 NFL draft has dominated the online space for the Arizona Cardinals, it has been quarterback Ty Simpson. Considered the No. 2 quarterback prospect in this draft class, he has been gaining steam as a potential selection for the Cardinals.
Alabama’s pro day is Wednesday, which means Simpson is again going to be a topic of conversation.
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SI.com’s Justin Melo named some of the top fits for Simpson, and they include the Cardinals.
Why are the Cardinals a good fit for Alabama QB Ty Simpson
The Arizona Cardinals are another rebuilding franchise who are drafting too early (No. 3) to consider Simpson in the first round. They currently have Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew at quarterback. It’s obvious that new head coach Mike LaFleur is eventually going to get an opportunity to hand-pick his own quarterback.
If LaFleur likes Simpson, could the Cardinals consider trading down from No. 3 overall, or perhaps more likely, combine their second-and-third-round picks to move back into the latter half of the first round? The Cardinals hired LaFleur for his brilliant offensive mind. They should allow the former Sean McVay assistant to make the Simpson decision.
The general belief about Simpson is that he will go in the first round, meaning the Cardinals have three options — reach for Simpson at the top of the draft, trade back and miss out on top pass rushers or tackles or give up picks to move up and get him.
No scenario is ideal, unless the team is convicted about his future at the position. Otherwise, it comes across as desperate.
The Cardinals are clearly a fit because a quarterback room with Brissett and Minshew is not a good quarterback room for the present or the future. The question is simply whether any scenario needed to acquire Simpson makes sense.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Arizona Cardinals named a top fit for QB Ty Simpson