Coming into the 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Jets own the league’s best capital, with the No. 2 pick to go along with the 16th, 33rd, and 44th selections.

While the team could use a quarterback, the Jets are more likely to go edge rusher with the No. 2 pick between Arvell Reese and David Bailey, and a wide receiver with their second first-rounder.

But, QB could very well be in play with the 33rd pick. However, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports, the Jets won’t be alone in their pursuit of a QB in early Round 2, late Round 1, as the Arizona Cardinals are also expected to pursue the same 3,567-yard QB.

Jets and Cardinals expected to compete for same QB

“The two teams that seem to be most interested in Simpson are the Jets and Cardinals,” Schefter reports. “The Jets hold the No. 16 pick in the middle of Round 1 and the No. 33 pick at the top of Round 2. The Cardinals hold No. 34 in Round 2, right behind the Jets.”

With the Cardinals reportedly interested in Alabama’s Ty Simpson, along with the Jets’ interest, the only way for Arizona to acquire the second-best quarterback prospect after Fernando Mendoza would be in a trade-up.

Another route the Cardinals could take would be a big trade-down with the Kansas City Chiefs. There have been rumors that the Chiefs are trading up from No. 9 all the way to No. 3 overall, owned by the Cardinals, for the edge rusher the Jets don’t take.

More: Jets predicted to trade up for Ty Simpson like Giants did for Jaxon Dart

If that were to happen, the Chiefs might be giving up the No. 29 pick in the trade as well, which would be a huge help for Arizona to leapfrog the Jets for Simpson.

Simpson is someone not expected to go until late Round 1 or early Round 2, and the Jets and Cardinals are the two biggest suitors at the moment for the Alabama QB.

Right now, if nothing changes, the Jets will have the advantage. However, the Cardinals might be aggressive and find a way to jump the Jets for Simpson.

This competition between the Jets and Cardinals in the NFL Draft will be very interesting, as a lot of movement could occur with the two teams eyeing the second-best quarterback in this year’s draft class.

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