The Rams' Bold Ty Simpson Gamble Is Working

That’s not an exaggeration. At 37, Stafford won the 2025 NFL MVP, joining Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers as one of a few quarterbacks to capture the award in their late 30s, and he’s carried that form to within two weeks of the 2026 opener. McVay believes Stafford could play at a high level for several more seasons, if he chooses.

That uncertainty is the reason the Rams made the quarterback move on draft day. Stafford signed a two-year extension with the team last offseason that runs through 2026, but the future Hall of Famer is taking a year-by-year approach. He could retire after this season, after 2027, or take a page out of Brady’s book and play into his 40s.

Because the Rams don’t know, taking the Alabama product made perfect sense, giving them a chance to develop their quarterback in the room with an all-time great. McVay and the coaching staff have managed expectations for the rookie quarterback, bringing him along slowly as he learns the playbook.

Ty Simpson is Already Proving the Pick Right

Months into his NFL career, Simpson has shown why the Rams took the risk. He’s been a sponge, asking Stafford and four-year veteran Stetson Bennett questions in meetings and practice, and staying late for extra throwing sessions with quarterback coach Dave Rogan.

That work has translated to live action. Across three preseason games against the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers, Simpson has impressed , completing 78.3 percent of his passes (47 of 60) for 380 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions, with a passer rating of 109.9, better stats than every rookie drafted ahead of him, including Las Vegas Raiders No. 1 selection Fernando Mendoza.

Yes, it’s just preseason, when the starters sit until the games actually matter. And yes, Simpson may enter Week 1 as the No. 3 quarterback, behind Bennett on the depth chart.

But the praise pouring in on social media shows one thing: The Rams made the right decision.