FOOTBALL: Alabama QB Ty Simpson spurns $6.5M offer, enters NFL draft

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has officially submitted paperwork to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, multiple reports confirmed Tuesday, one day before the deadline for underclassmen.

This news comes after reports Monday that several college programs attempted to lure Simpson with high-dollar offers to transfer and delay his decision.

Simpson, who declared for the draft on January 7, did not enter the transfer portal but accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl. On Tuesday, he posted on Instagram, “Been a great ride,” alongside a photo of his Crimson Tide locker.

BamaOnline was the first to report that Simpson’s draft paperwork had been completed.

Reports on Monday suggested Simpson received a $6.5 million offer from Miami, along with $4 million offers from Ole Miss and Tennessee, if he chose to remain in college for the 2026 season. USA Today noted that Miami initially offered $4 million but quickly increased the payout.

Miami, which signed Georgia transfer Carson Beck to lead the Hurricanes in 2025, does not yet have a 2026 starter secured, even after a national championship appearance. Beck reportedly earned $4 million in NIL deals and approximately $10 million overall through partnerships with brands such as Beats by Dre, Chipotle, and Airstar Charter after leaving Georgia.

A projected first-round pick in 2026, Simpson led Alabama to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals in 2025 during his first season as a starter. The redshirt junior took over after three years as a backup when Jalen Milroe declared for the NFL, saying it was time to “chase my dreams.”

Field Level Media ranks Simpson as a top-three quarterback alongside Oregon’s Dante Moore and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, with all three likely to be selected in the top 20 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

If Simpson is drafted 20th overall, he could earn a four-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $18-21 million. As the No. 10 pick, his projected contract rises to $26-29 million guaranteed, including a $16 million signing bonus.

In 15 games in 2025, Simpson passed for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He finished 41st nationally with a 145.2 passer-efficiency rating and did not rank among the top 10 in Heisman Trophy voting.

--Field Level Media/Reuters