Home / Sports / QB Simpson: Sit or Start? Cardinals Face Draft Dilemma
QB Simpson: Sit or Start? Cardinals Face Draft Dilemma
24 Apr
Summary
- Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur is open to sitting a rookie quarterback.
- Rookie QBs rarely sat their first season in recent NFL drafts.
- Ty Simpson's stats fluctuated, with accuracy and decision-making concerns.

The Arizona Cardinals are contemplating the draft position and immediate playing time for former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. Head coach Mike LaFleur has expressed openness to a strategy where a young quarterback learns the professional game from the sidelines behind established veterans. This approach contrasts with the recent NFL trend, where most first-round quarterbacks have seen playing time in their rookie seasons.
Simpson's collegiate statistics present a mixed picture for the Cardinals' evaluation. His accuracy and decision-making showed a decline in the latter half of his last season at Alabama. Furthermore, his track record includes concerns about fumbles, turnovers, and a relatively low percentage of catchable passes, alongside a slower than average time to target.
Evaluating potential draft picks like Simpson involves projecting their transition from college to the NFL. Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort emphasizes accuracy and decision-making as key traits. However, the limited game experience, with only 15 starts at Alabama, is a significant factor that the team must weigh against his demonstrated talent and potential fit within the team's offensive scheme and locker room dynamics.