Cardinals, Rams Reportedly Racing to Land Top QB Prospect Ty Simpson

The Alabama star could be a target for both NFC West teams in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 7:53pm

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting a quarterback throwing a football, with the image broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape to capture the dynamic motion of the play.The race to land top QB prospect Ty Simpson highlights the quarterback needs of both the Cardinals and Rams as they look to the future.Tuscaloosa Today

According to NFL draft insider Daniel Jeremiah, the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams are both highly interested in Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson and could be racing to land the top prospect in the upcoming 2026 draft. Simpson is projected to be selected in the mid-to-late first round, putting him in range for both the Cardinals at #3 overall and the Rams at #13.

Why it matters

The Cardinals and Rams are both in need of a long-term solution at quarterback, with the Cardinals parting ways with Kyler Murray this offseason and the Rams potentially facing the retirement of Matthew Stafford after the 2026 season. Landing Simpson could be a crucial move for either team as they look to solidify their quarterback position for the future.

The details

Simpson, who was highly complimentary of the Cardinals organization after meeting with them at the NFL Combine, has a Top 30 visit scheduled with the team. The Rams, who hold the #13 overall pick, could also be in the mix to trade up and select Simpson if he starts to slide in the draft. Both teams are in different stages of their quarterback situations, with the Cardinals in a full rebuild mode and the Rams still having Stafford for 2026, but both see Simpson as a potential long-term answer.

  • Simpson met with the Cardinals at the NFL Combine in March 2026.
  • Simpson has a Top 30 visit scheduled with the Cardinals as of late March 2026.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April/May 2026.

The players

Ty Simpson

A highly touted quarterback prospect from the University of Alabama, projected to be selected in the mid-to-late first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Kyler Murray

The former starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, who the team parted ways with this offseason.

Jacoby Brissett

The expected starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals in the 2026 season as they rebuild their roster.

Gardner Minshew

The projected backup quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals in the 2026 season after signing as a free agent.

Matthew Stafford

The current starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, though many believe the 2026 season could be his last in the NFL.

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What they’re saying

“Arizona is the team that makes the most sense for Ty Simpson. The question is when would they pull the trigger? The Rams are the other team I'd keep an eye on.”

— Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Draft Insider

What’s next

The Cardinals and Rams will continue to evaluate Ty Simpson leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, with the Cardinals potentially needing to trade up from their #34 overall pick in the second round to land him if he starts to slide.

The takeaway

The race for Ty Simpson highlights the quarterback needs of both the Cardinals and Rams, as they look to find their long-term solutions at the position. Simpson's potential fit with both teams makes him a highly coveted prospect, and his landing spot could have major implications for the future of the NFC West.