Cleveland Browns HC discusses relationship with Ty Simpson

Alabama's Ty Simpson (15) a touchdown pass during the College Football Playoff game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday Dec. 19, 2025.

Ty Simpson won’t throw at the NFL combine until Saturday, but there’s already plenty of buzz building around the former Alabama quarterback. 

Earlier this week, a report from Cleveland.com stated that the Browns have Simpson as well as free agent quarterback Malik Willis on their radar for possible options behind center. During a press conference at the combine on Wednesday, first-year Browns head coach Todd Monken was asked about his thoughts on Simpson and if he had studied the quarterback over his time at Alabama. 

Monken didn’t get too into X’s and O’s but did comment on his relationship with Simpson, dating back to the coach’s time as an offensive coordinator at Georgia. 

“I like Ty. I liked Ty when he was coming out [of high school],” Monken said. “When I first got to Georgia, they hadn’t offered him. But I went up there and talked to his dad — in fact, his dad, Jason, is a Southern Miss alum and I was head coach at Southern Miss. I got to know them really well. 

“Really fond of Ty. Obviously, really good football player. Fired up for him, because in today’s day and age, for him to stay as long as he did and then get a chance to be the starting quarterback at Alabama is pretty cool, that is really cool for him to live out his dream at the school he chose, three or four years ago.”

Monken’s relationship with Simpson might not be the deciding factor in whether the Browns select the quarterback with one of their two first-round picks at No. 6 and No. 24 overall. However, when asked bout how he evaluates prospects coming out of college, the head coach’s first emphasis was familiarity. 

“First off, anybody that’s coming out in the draft, quarterback or any position, you’ve got to do a great job of vetting people that have been around them for an extended period of time,” Monken said. “Because 20 minutes or an interview doesn’t do it justice. I mean, you’ve got to make sure that the people that they’ve been around are able to say the words that you’re looking for in terms of how they carry themselves, how they are on a day-to-day basis, how they are around their teammates, how are they third downs, two-minute, critical situations. All of that comes into play.” 

The Browns currently have a crowded quarterback room, featuring second-year passers Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel as well as embattled veteran Deshaun Watson. Monken said he will use the next few weeks to assess his roster, while stating he expects a competition behind center heading into training camp. The head coach also left the door open for possible additions at the position. 

“I’m excited about Shedeur, excited about Deshaun and Dillon,” Monken said. “I’m excited about the prospects, not only in free agency but also in the draft and we’ll see where it all falls. Ultimately you’ve got to do whatever you need to do, especially at that position, to put yourself in position to score points.”

Along with picks No. 6 and No. 24, Cleveland will also select at No. 39 overall early in the second round. This year’s NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh from April 23-25.