Rams make Matthew Stafford point 'clear' after drafting QB Ty Simpson

While numerous stories linked the Los Angeles Rams with Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, many observers were nevertheless stunned when the Rams selected Simpson with the draft's 13th overall pick on Thursday night. 

Simpson is now on track to learn from reigning regular-season Most Valuable Player and one-time Super Bowl champion signal-caller Matthew Stafford. That said, head coach Sean McVay doesn't want anybody to think he has any doubts about what Stafford will offer the Rams this coming fall. 

Matthew Stafford is still Rams' QB1 after Ty Simpson decision

"Let's make one thing clear," McVay said on Thursday night, per Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports. "This is Matthew's team. "You get a chance to be able to address the backup quarterback. We've got [2023 fourth-round draft pick Stetson Bennett IV], we've talked about the importance of [Jimmy Garoppolo]. To be able to add somebody where you can evaluate a body of work where he was asked to play the position … there are a lot of things that [Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb] did that's similar to how we operate, so it made it an easier evaluation … we're always going to make decisions that we think are best for the short and the long term."  

Bennett is an unproven commodity as a pro, and the Rams don't yet know if Garoppolo is going to retire this offseason. While Stafford may soon sign a contract extension, he will turn 39 years old next winter and previously teased that the 2025 season could have been his last as an active player. 

In Simpson, the Rams have a promising prospect who probably should spend at least a large portion of his rookie season developing as an unused backup. McVay and Co. have now given Simpson the opportunity to do just that. 

Ty Simpson looking forward to learning from Matthew Stafford

After officially becoming a member of the Rams, Simpson sounded eager to spend time with who he hopes will become a worthwhile mentor. 

"I haven’t talked to Matthew yet, but I’m super pumped to be in the room with him and learn from him," Simpson explained, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "He’s one of the greatest of all time. We watched his film all the time when I was with Bama, the stuff he did, the stuff the Rams did with Coach McVay, so the fact that I can soak up all that knowledge, I couldn’t ask for a better situation."

One can't help but wonder how Stafford feels about the Rams using a high-value draft pick on his eventual replacement instead of on somebody who could've started for the club this fall. What's done is done, and Stafford will now be a vital part of Simpson's development over the next year or two.