Could an Alabama QB Be the Cardinals Next Big 2026 Move?
The 2026 NFL Draft is swiftly approaching, and the Arizona Cardinals have a big decision to make with the third overall pick in the draft. While there were previous rumors about the Cardinals taking star Notre-Dame running back Jerymiah Love at third overall, the Cardinals shut those down. Bringing back veteran running back James Conner and Zonovan Knight, while also signing Tyler Allgeier. The Cardinals seem to be heading in a different direction. With the recent release of former first overall pick Kyler Murray, the Cardinals still face uncertainty at the quarterback position. That's where Alabama QB Ty Simpson could come in.
The Cardinals struggled at QB during the 2025 season, with Murray out for most of it, so Jacoby Brissett had to step in. While Brissett seemed to connect well with the offense, recording 3,366 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions, they only won one game with the veteran QB. Brissett seems to be a short-term answer to a long-term problem. Arizona also signed another veteran to its roster in Gardner Minshew. Minshew most recently played for the Kansas City Chiefs before exiting their Week 16 game against the Tennessee Titans. During his start, he completed eight of 15 passes. Minshew is set to fight for the starting job, but most likely will serve as a backup to the starter.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals could use help at many positions, but QB seems the most uncertain for the team. Many reports have linked the Cardinals to Alabama QB Ty Simpson. Simpson started for the Crimson Tide in 15 games during the 2025 CFB season, including postseason games. In his final season with the Tide, Simpson recorded 3,567 passing yards, 28 touchdowns to five interceptions, and a passer rating of 145.2. Overall, Simpson ranked among the top 20 QBs in CFB last season. Some of the young QBs' best attributes are their arm strength and pocket awareness, which are important for the Cardinals, who ended the season with one of the worst-ranked O-lines in the league. While some reports suggest his consistency under pressure might be of concern. Nevertheless, the Crimson Tide QB could be the answer Arizona is looking for at QB. Simpson could easily fit into the Cardinals' offense, paired with star receivers such as Marvin Harrison Jr and Michael Wilson, who could do some of the heavy lifting early on in the season. Simpson would most likely be given time to sit and learn from Brissett and Minshew, two veteran QBs with a combined 17 seasons in the NFL.
Overall, the Cardinals need to find a solid starting quarterback soon if they want to become a competitive team in the NFL again. While the 2026 Draft does not have a strong quarterback class, Arizona may still be forced to take a chance on a high-upside prospect like Ty Simpson. Simpson brings talent, arm strength, and upside that could fit well in Arizona’s system if developed properly. However, he is still a young quarterback who may need time to adjust to the speed and complexity of the NFL. With the third overall pick, the Cardinals’ decision could ultimately shape the direction of the franchise for years to come.
