INDIANAPOLIS – Ty Simpson has known of Todd Monken for a handful of years.
With Monken's background as the head coach at Southern Miss from 2013-15 and Jason Simpson being a former baseball player at Southern Miss and graduating in 1994, the two built a connection.
And when Ty Simpson was in high school in Martin, Tenn., he remembered Monken making a trip to Westview High School as part of the recruiting trail. Monken was the offensive coordinator for Georgia when Simpson officially committed to Alabama in 2021.
Now about five years later, Simpson is an NFL prospect at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine and Monken is the new head coach for the Browns.
"I know he loves ball," Simpson said of Monken. "I know he loves football, and I know that's what I love as well. Super smart guy. I remember him coming to my school (while he was) at Georgia. Him and my dad actually have a great relationship because he coached at Southern Miss for a little bit, and his pedigree with all the NFL teams that he's been with, and what he did with Lamar (Jackson) and at Georgia, it's just super real. So, a lot of respect for him and the Browns organization. I think they've made a great hire."
Over the course of the week at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, Simpson said he had the opportunity to talk to Monken and the Browns.
"I got to talk to him and those guys," Simpson said. "Just super cool to get to work some ball, and that's what I want. "
The Browns' quarterback room currently consists of Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders – two players Cleveland selected in the 2025 NFL Draft – and Deshaun Watson. However, Executive Vice President of Football Operations said during the combine that they are keeping the possibility open to add an outside player, either in the veteran market or a rookie quarterback.
Simpson is one of the 16 quarterbacks participating in the combine and said he has decided to throw when the quarterbacks work out on Feb. 28.
See top prospects take the podium and answer questions from the media at the 2026 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 26, 2026.
Linebacker Arvell Reese, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Linebacker Arvell Reese, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Linebacker Sonny Styles, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Linebacker Sonny Styles, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Linebacker Sonny Styles, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Linebacker Arvell Reese, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Linebacker Arvell Reese, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Linebacker Arvell Reese, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Linebacker Arvell Reese, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Linebacker Sonny Styles, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Linebacker Sonny Styles, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Linebacker Sonny Styles, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Linebacker Arvell Reese, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Linebacker Sonny Styles, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Linebacker Jake Golday, Cincinnati, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Linebacker Jake Golday, Cincinnati, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Linebacker Jake Golday, Cincinnati, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Linebacker Jake Golday, Cincinnati, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Linebacker Jake Golday, Cincinnati, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive lineman Kayden McDonald, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive lineman Kayden McDonald, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive lineman Kayden McDonald, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive lineman Kayden McDonald, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive lineman Kayden McDonald, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive lineman Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive lineman Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive lineman Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive lineman Jaisawn Barham, Michigan, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive lineman Jaisawn Barham, Michigan, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive lineman Jaisawn Barham, Michigan, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive lineman David Bailey, Texas Tech, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive lineman David Bailey, Texas Tech, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive lineman David Bailey, Texas Tech, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive lineman David Bailey, Texas Tech, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive lineman Caden Curry, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive lineman Caden Curry, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Avery Smith, Toledo, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Avery Smith, Toledo, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Avery Smith, Toledo, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Caleb Downs, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Caleb Downs, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Caleb Downs, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Caleb Downs, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Caleb Downs, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Caleb Downs, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Emmanuel McNeil, Toledo, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Emmanuel McNeil, Toledo, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Emmanuel McNeil, Toledo, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Emmanuel McNeil, Toledo, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Emmanuel McNeil, Toledo, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Emmanuel McNeil, Toledo, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Lorenzo Stlyes, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Caleb Downs, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Lorenzo Stlyes, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Caleb Downs, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Defensive back Caleb Downs, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Tight end Max Klare, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Tight end Max Klare, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Tight end Oscar Delp, Georgia, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Tight end Oscar Delp, Georgia, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Tight end Max Klare, Ohio State, speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
He spent his entire collegiate career at Alabama and earned the starting job in 2025. He played in 16 games over his first three years, completing 29 of 50 passing attempts for 381 yards. Simpson then played all 16 games in 2025 and finished last season completing 305 of 473 passing attempts for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns. Alabama went on to face Georgia in the SEC championship and make the playoffs, beating Oklahoma in the first round and losing to Indiana in the Rose Bowl Game.
Simpson then made the decision to declare for the draft in early January after one season as a starter. But for Simpson, he believed he was prepared for the next step.
"I feel like I'm ready. I'm a franchise quarterback," Simpson said. "Alabama prepares you most for the NFL, and with the infrastructure that they had and the guidance from Coach (Nick) Saban, and then Coach (Kalen) DeBoer, Coach (Ryan) Grubb, all the coordinators that I had before, I run an NFL type system. It's definitely prepared me for seeing those long play calls, seeing those checks and making sure that I get this in the right protection.
"Also as well, everybody talks about my starts, but I've played in other games besides that," Simpson continued. "I've played against really good NFL players. I think about my freshman year, learning from the number one overall pick and Heisman Trophy winner (Bryce Young), going on defense, going on scout team, I got Will Anderson, Dallas Turner, Henry To'oTo'o, I got Kool-Aid (McKinstry) on one side, I got Terrion (Arnold) on the other side. There's a number of first- and second-round draft picks that I went against and who I was in the locker room with. The Alabama locker room was as close as a locker room in the NFL as you can get."
