Jalen Milroe wasn't perfect last season.
But the Alabama Crimson Tide knew their football team had its quarterback. He was the unquestioned man at the helm of the offense.
Now that Milroe is gone to the NFL's Seattle Seahawks, there's some uncertainty in Tuscaloosa.
The expectation is that Ty Simpson will take the reins, with Austin Mack and talented freshman Keelon Russell waiting in the wings.
Alabama's upside will be determined in large part by what Simpson can do.
"Basically, if you tell me now that Simpson is going to be good this season -- not even great, just good -- this is a top-five team at worst," writes ESPN's Bill Connelly. "It's just hard to guarantee that. A former top-40 recruit, Simpson has seen playing time in each of the past three seasons, throwing for 381 yards and rushing for three touchdowns. But about three-quarters of his dropbacks have come in garbage time. In his only sustained action outside of garbage time, he took five sacks in an unexpectedly tight win over South Florida in 2023. Not great. \
"Honestly, after Jalen Milroe's negative-play troubles in 2024 (11 interceptions, 9 fumbles, 23 sacks), there's a path for Simpson to succeed by simply making sure the team in crimson controls the ball. He'll have strong weapons to whom he can distribute the ball -- Williams, slot man Germie Bernard, Miami transfer Isaiah Horton, young former star recruits such as Jaylen Mbakwe, Jalen Hale and Cole Adams -- and lord knows he's waited for this opportunity. If he can't deliver early, sophomore Austin Mack or freshman Keelon Russell (the No. 2 player in the 2025 class) could step in. One way or another, solid quarterbacking could take Bama far."
There are a ton of quarterback questions in the SEC. Alabama isn't alone.
Whoever gets the best play out of an unproven passer may be the surprise contender for a conference title.
The Crimson Tide are sure hoping that it'll be Simpson.
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