Sports
Three Quarterbacks With the Most to Prove at the NFL Combine
Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) looks to pass against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the overwhelming favorite to be the first quarterback selected and history tells us it won’t be a long wait for the second to be picked.
The demand far outweighs the supply of first-round worthy quarterbacks in 2026.
There are arguments to be framed for sliding one-year starter Ty Simpson of Alabama or LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier into the top 50. But neither has presented a convincing argument to be selected in the first round.
Ah, but history in the NFL has a way of repeating. And quarterbacks always rise, merited or not, because of the never-ending quest to fill the position of greatest importance to sustained success.
Here are the three quarterbacks with the most to prove in Indy.
Ty Simpson, Alabama
A one-year starter who grades on a similar range as his predecessor with the Crimson Tide, Jalen Milroe. They went about winning in much different ways, and Milroe was the 92nd overall pick in 2025. He spent the season working behind Sam Darnold with the Super Bowl champion Seahawks.
While Milroe’s traits and upside compelled Seattle to roll the dice, Simpson doesn’t have any elite physical traits. He compares to Kirk Cousins (the Michigan State version) as a prospect, and there’s no shame in a winning system QB projection. We also had a similar grade on Andy Dalton, the 35th pick in 2011 in a draft that featured the Titans selected Jake Locker No. 8 and Carolina cashing in the No. 1 pick for Cam Newton. Colin Kaepernick went one pick after Dalton.
If Simpson can show efficiency, timing and accuracy in throwing sessions in Indy, we’re confident he’ll be prepared and impressive in the team interview portion of the combine. The sum of his performance would likely put him in the pick 25-35 range and under serious consideration for the New York Jets (two first-round picks).
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Nov 23, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) signals a first down against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images It’s a stretch to say Nussmeier cemented first-round status at the 2026 Senior Bowl, but we’re not entirely discounting the consistency of his performance in practice sesssions in Mobile, Ala., where he also claimed MVP honors.
Nussmeier is the son of Saints offensive coordinator Doug Mussmeier and he’s familiar to every franchise in the NFL because of his bloodlines and projections dating to the middle of the 2024 season that he was constructed of first-round timber. Injuries were a factor in rolling back his grade due to inadequate and inefficient performance in the SEC. He looked healthy at the Senior Bowl, and now he has a chance to build more momentum.
Medical and interviews are key components for Nussmeier but measuring his accuracy, anticipation and consistent placement of the deep ball are the areas he’ll need to win if the end result is first-round consideration.
Taylen Green, Arkansas
Aug 14, 2025; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) passes during practice. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images A boom-or-bust wildcard, Green is a genetic lottery winner at 6-6, 225, dripping with athleticism. He’ll get a lot of buzz in Indy because of his timed speed and every set of team-owned binoculars in Lucas Oil Stadium will be fixed on Green’s throwing session.
While the legions of general managers and scouting staffs in Indy aren’t expecting perfection in the pocket out of Green, they do want to detect improvement in the two months of dedicated training he’s gone through since the season ended. Green’s footwork can be sloppy and fundamentally he sometimes appears to be an athlete asked to play quarterback because of a slow and elongated release with variance in his release point.
If the changes show more consistency and a rapport with receivers, Green’s arrow will be pointing way up. If he misses targets and has sloppy footwork and an erratic release, he could slide to the bottom two rounds in April.
Sports
Canada captain Sidney Crosby not ruled out for Olympic return
Feb 18, 2026; Milan, Italy; Sidney Crosby of Canada walks out to the ice before a men’s ice hockey quarterfinal during the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Veteran captain Sidney Crosby has not been ruled out for the remainder of the Milan Cortina Olympics, Team Canada coach Jon Cooper told reporters on Thursday.
Crosby, 38, sustained an apparent right leg injury in the second period of Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime win over Czechia when he ducked under a hit but had Radko Gudas fall over him.
One of a handful of NHL players who competed in the Olympics the last time they were permitted to compete in the Games in 2014, Crosby is doing everything he can to be available for Canada’s semifinal against Finland on Friday.
He underwent an MRI to assess the injury and did not participate in Thursday’s optional team skate, per ESPN.
“Sid is by no means ruled out of the tournament,” Cooper said Thursday. “We’ve got the best of the best looking at him. … We’re taking this day by day. And we’re not going to put anyone in harm’s way. But if he can play, he’s definitely going to. We’ll know more again in 24 hours.”
Crosby, who is competing in his third Olympics, is tied for third on the Canadian roster with six points (two goals, four assists) through four games.
Crosby is in his 21st NHL season, all with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 56 games this season, he has 59 points (27 goals, 32 assists).
Canada is looking to win gold for the first time since the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Mike LaFleur: No time frame for decision on Cardinals QB Kyler Murray
Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) leaves the field after defeating the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The assumption around Kyler Murray has been that the quarterback will not return to the Arizona Cardinals for an eighth season.
While that could still be the case, new Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur has given no indication of a timeline for when a decision will be made.
“Just like everything else on the roster, open conversations in this building,” LaFleur said in a Wednesday press conference. “No time frame on that.”
Murray, 28, appeared in just five games last season before going on injured reserve with a foot injury that wound up ending his season in early October.
He’s guaranteed $36.8 million for the 2026 season as part of the five-year, $230 million extension he signed with the Cardinals. But he also will have his base salary of $19.5 million for the 2027 season guaranteed if he’s still on the roster March 15, putting a deadline of sorts on when Arizona would need to trade or release him.
Murray, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, has appeared in eight or fewer games two of the past three seasons. He’s started all 87 career games he has played for the Cardinals, throwing for 20,460 yards, 121 touchdowns and 60 interceptions while rushing for 3,193 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Veteran Jacoby Brissett stepped up in place of Murray last season, throwing for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 14 games (12 starts) last season.
Brissett, 33, is a likely starting candidate entering LaFleur’s first season in Arizona if the team doesn’t elect to use its third overall pick in the April draft on a quarterback.
The Cardinals finished 3-14 in the tough NFC West in 2025 and fired coach Jonathan Gannon on Jan. 5 after three seasons.
–Field Level Media
Sports
76ers sign 2-way F Jabari Walker to NBA deal
Feb 2, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Jabari Walker (33) shoots against Los Angeles Clippers guard Kobe Brown (24) and center Yanic Konan Niederhauser (14) during the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images The Philadelphia 76ers signed two-way forward Jabari Walker to a standard NBA contract on Thursday.
Walker, 23, was signed to a two-way deal last July after spending the last three seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.
He has appeared in 45 of Philadelphia’s 54 games this season. He’s made six starts and averages 3.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in 12.1 minutes per game.
In 233 career games (30 starts) across four NBA seasons, the former second-round pick has averaged 5.7 points and 4.2 rebounds over 15.5 minutes per game.
The 76ers also announced Thursday morning that they signed Tyrese Martin to a two-way contract.
Martin, 26, has appeared in 37 games (six starts) for the Brooklyn Nets this season, averaging 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
–Field Level Media
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