Former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has regained weight ahead of the 2026 NFL Combine after suffering from a severe case of gastritis late in his college career, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. While playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide last season, Simpson lost more than 15 pounds due to the illness, but he’s now around 215 pounds, underscoring his preparation for the upcoming draft. This health setback provides context for some of the challenges he faced on the field recently.
Public Reactions Link Simpson’s NFL Potential to Iconic Quarterbacks
The buzz surrounding Simpson has led to varied responses from fans and analysts, who are drawing comparisons to established quarterbacks. One social media user declared,
“Ty Simpson will be turned into Tom Brady by the media by draft day. Bank on it. I was going to say the second coming of Christ, but you get the idea.”
Another added, “Kenny Pickett 2.0,” reflecting hopes for Simpson to follow a similar developmental path as Pickett. Comments on his weight loss during the previous season also emerged, with one observer stating,
“Losing weight as a QB is like a death sentence, definitely a big factor in his struggles,”
emphasizing the impact of his health on performance.
Concerns Raised About Simpson’s Limited Starting Experience
Despite his promising upside, some voices remain cautious about Simpson’s readiness. One user noted,
“Crazy that Ty dropped from 212-215 down into the 190s to close out the 2025 season. He was dealing with a lot,”
highlighting the personal challenges he faced. Another expressed skepticism:
“I just don’t see how you can spend a first on a guy who only has 1 real season of tape and the tape was just fine while also actively declining.”
Additionally, concerns about the root causes of his late-season decline were raised, as one comment observed,
“Thats actually significant news and potentially the root cause of Simpsons decline toward end of season.”
Simpson’s College Career and Playoff Experience
Ty Simpson spent four years with Alabama, but he was the starting quarterback for only the 2025 season. During that year, he led the Tide to the College Football Playoff, securing a 34-28 victory over Oklahoma in the first round. However, Alabama’s run ended following a 38-3 loss to Indiana in the quarterfinals. These performances provided scouts with key insights into Simpson’s potential and areas for growth at the professional level.
Projection as an Early First-Round Draft Pick
Many analysts consider Simpson among the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 draft class, with projections placing him as an early first-round selection. The Pittsburgh Steelers, who hold the No. 21 overall pick and are in need of a quarterback, are frequently mentioned as a possible destination. This speculation fuels further discussion about his immediate role and future impact in the NFL.
Implications for the 2026 NFL Season
Simpson’s comeback from health issues and his projected draft position make him one of the more intriguing prospects in this year’s class. His ability to regain strength and demonstrate resilience will be critical in the transition from college to professional football. The NFL community will be watching closely to see how he develops during the pre-draft process and how teams, like the Steelers, evaluate his potential to fill a quarterback role moving forward.
Former Alabama QB Ty Simpson’s weight is back ahead of his throwing session at this week’s NFL combine, where Ohio State LB Sonny Styles will also participate — and could blow away the testing. @gmfb @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/T6H4yURXXw
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 23, 2026
Kenny Pickett 2.0
— Gork (@MikeDForThree) February 23, 2026
Losing weight as a QB is like a death sentence, definately a big factor in his struggles
— JETSFLIGHTLINE ✈️ (@jetsflightline) February 23, 2026
Crazy that Ty dropped from 212-215 down into the 190s to close out the 2025 season. He was dealing with a lot. https://t.co/oRmaO8b5IE
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) February 23, 2026
I just don’t see how you can spend a first on a guy who only has 1 real season of tape and the tape was just fine while also actively declining. https://t.co/8BQlLe05SQ
— Ethan🫐 (@SoftlyAugust) February 23, 2026
Thats actually significant news and potentially the root cause of Simpsons decline toward end of season https://t.co/2d58G6YDjU
— JETSFLIGHTLINE ✈️ (@jetsflightline) February 23, 2026
