Orlovsky's Simpson Obsession Misses the Mendoza Mark

Dan Orlovsky went on the Pat McAfee Show this week and, true to form, doubled down on his Ty Simpson take. He keeps pushing this idea that Simpson's tape at Alabama is "more impressive" than Jalen Milroe's. Look, I get it. Orlovsky loves a good contrarian take, something to get people talking. But this one feels less like analysis and more like a stubborn refusal to admit he might have misread the room.

Here's the thing: Milroe led Alabama to a 12-2 record in 2023, including an SEC Championship victory over Georgia, a team many considered invincible. Simpson, on the other hand, saw limited action. He completed just 6 of 10 passes for 56 yards and no touchdowns last season. Milroe, meanwhile, threw for 2,834 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions, adding 531 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground. Those aren't just "impressive" numbers; they're the kind of numbers that win games in the SEC.

Orlovsky's argument hinges on this vague notion of "tape." He talks about Simpson's "arm talent" and "purity of throws." And sure, maybe Simpson has a prettier spiral on a few practice reps. But football isn't a beauty contest. It's about production, leadership, and winning when it matters. Milroe proved he could do all three, especially after the early-season stumble against Texas where he threw two picks. He rebounded from that, showing serious mental toughness.

Remember the Iron Bowl? Milroe's 4th-and-31 touchdown pass to Isaiah Bond with 32 seconds left on the clock against Auburn was one of the most iconic plays of the college football season. That's not just arm talent; that's clutch. That's a quarterback who elevates his team in the biggest moments. Simpson hasn't had a moment like that because he hasn't been given the chance, which, frankly, tells you what the Alabama coaching staff thought of the competition. Nick Saban, a guy who knows a thing or two about quarterbacks, stuck with Milroe. And it worked.

I'm not saying Ty Simpson can't be a good quarterback. He was a highly-touted recruit, a five-star prospect in the 2022 class. But Orlovsky's persistent championing of Simpson over Milroe at this point feels like a narrative he's unwilling to let go of, even when the evidence stacks up against him. It's like arguing a Triple-A slugger's batting practice looks better than a big leaguer's game film when the big leaguer is hitting .300 with 30 homers. The stats, and more importantly, the wins, speak for themselves.

My hot take? Orlovsky is trying too hard to be the smartest guy in the room, and it's clouding his judgment on this one. He's so invested in his initial take that he's ignoring what actually happened on the field.

Bold prediction: Milroe will be a first-round NFL draft pick within the next two years, and this Orlovsky take will be a footnote everyone forgets.