OPINION: Ty Simpson should not come back to Alabama for his final year

Oct 11, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) lines up in the red zone against the Missouri Tigers during the third quarter at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

This Article is an opinionated column.

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is in a very similar position to that of the Tide’s starting quarterback last year, Jalen Milroe, as they have both led the Crimson Tide to fair heights, but have also received some criticism and complaints while doing it.

Although the backlash they both have received in their time at Alabama may be somewhat unjust, it is obvious they both had their own issues, which were detrimental at times.

With one year of eligibility left, Simpson should not return to Tuscaloosa for his senior season. However, his accomplishments should not go unappreciated either.

Similar to Milroe, key games turned to losses in the midst of inconsistency, but unlike Milroe’s 2024 campaign, the Crimson Tide still managed to make the playoffs after three losses.

However, the reality of Simpson and the team’s issues came crashing back down when the Tide got demolished by Indiana, 38-3, after a First Round playoff victory over Oklahoma.

The blame for the season’s failures cannot be put solely on Simpson; however, it highlighted the fact that head coach Kalen DeBoer is still a ways away from building what’s meant to be.

When DeBoer was at Washington, college football fans saw the success of an air raid offense, one that made a national championship appearance, and it all started with the quarterback.

Simpson is a very talented player, there’s no doubt about it, but the question is whether he’s truly the one who’s meant to lead DeBoer’s offense to a national title.

As of now, the answer appears to be no. DeBoer, along with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, runs an extremely pass-heavy offense, one that relies on deep shots and lethal accuracy.

Simpson displayed some impressive accuracy at many points throughout the season; however, it was never consistent. He also rarely took deep shots, and when he did, they were often off-target.

The thing is, DeBoer needs his own offense, one that he’s built with his own players. Simpson, along with others, was not recruited by DeBoer and his staff. Again, that’s not to say that they’re not talented, but DeBoer needs his own players who he believes best fit his scheme.

Two players may be capable of making that reality come to life, though, and they are quarterbacks Austin Mack and Keelon Russell. Mack, formerly a four-star, committed to Washington under DeBoer and then followed his head coach to Tuscaloosa.

Mack entered the Rose Bowl against Indiana in the third quarter after Simpson was benched due to an injury. Although he only played about a quarter-and-a-half, he still managed more offensive production than Simpson did, leading a drive that finally resulted in points for the Tide.

Russell, on the other hand, was a five-star recruit in the 2024 recruiting cycle who was recruited by DeBoer. All throughout the season, the staff has voiced just how much Russell has impressed and left him listed as an option at second-string quarterback on the depth chart.

Both Mack and Russell are young with talent that should not go to waste. Fans have seen a season with Simpson, and it went well, but with plenty of opportunity left on the table.

Simpson should either declare for the NFL Draft or hit the transfer portal. It is time for DeBoer to truly get his own quarterback out there to build the offense he wants.

If Simpson stays, Mack or Russell, or potentially both, will enter the transfer portal and take their talents to another school. DeBoer and the staff should not take their time to cater to Simpson in the mere hopes that he takes it to the next level for next season.

If Alabama is going to play the patient development game, then it should get Mack or Russell on the field, both of whom have multiple years of eligibility left, to develop them as fast as they can.

A risk is being taken either way; Simpson could continue to play subpar next year and leave, or he could win the Heisman and take the Tide to a national championship. Mack or Russell could provide similar play, or one of them could be the Heisman winner.

Alabama needs to move on and get a new quarterback into the system, or else it may be risking long-term success in hopes of more immediate satisfaction.