Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson were the two quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. Mendoza, who won the 2025 Heisman Trophy, went as the first-overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders before the Los Angeles Rams utilized the 13th pick on Simpson.
In a bold take that cuts against the post-draft optimism, NFL analyst Daniel Kelly believes the Raiders and the Rams are already having a sense of regret about their draft decision. With the two quarterbacks among the last unsigned draft picks, the former New York Jets scout argues that early OTA reports suggest the hype may have outpaced reality.
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“Nobody else will say this—but I will,” Kelly wrote. “I think the Raiders and the Rams are having ‘buyer’s remorse’ with Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson. This is why I believe they remain unsigned. Some of the things I hear and read coming out of Raiders OTAs make Mendoza sound like a joke.
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“They make him sound like some sort of raw developmental project. Reportedly, he’s running mostly with the 2’s and 3’s (struggled with the 1s) and he’s learning how to take snaps under center—something most children learn how to do when they first start playing quarterback. At this point, they are preaching “patience,” which is the diplomatic way of handling it.”
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After leading Indiana to its first-ever national championship, Fernando Mendoza was heralded as a franchise-altering talent. Ty Simpson, on the other hand, was also highly rated despite just a season as a starter at Alabama. Yet, Daniel Kelly points to the concerning whisper out of Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
Daniel Kelly shares his take on Ty Simpson’s situation with the Rams
Despite utilizing a first-round pick on him, Ty Simpson isn’t certain of starting the season as the Rams’ backup quarterback. Sean McVay made it known in April that he would compete with Stetson Bennett for the role. Daniel Kelly shares his opinion on the rookie’s situation.
“Sean McVay did not look or sound like he was on board at all with the Simpson pick when they showed his initial unrehearsed reaction,” Kelly wrote. “The Rams are built to win now.
“I can’t imagine internal excitement about the prospect of a rookie quarterback being the backup and putting their 2026 chances in the hands of a rookie if Matthew Stafford gets injured, and I can’t imagine a team wanting to pay big money to a third-string quarterback.”
Without a doubt, the Rams are looking to gun for the Super Bowl next season. Their addition of superstar edge rusher Myles Garrett earlier this month communicated that intention even better. Ty Simpson will definitely need to be up to the standard to get a look-in for the backup role.
Edited by Farouk Yusuf
