Rams' Matthew Stafford opens up about potentially awkward Ty Simpson situation

Almost immediately after the Los Angeles Rams made quarterback Ty Simpson the 13th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, some understandably wondered how Rams starter and reigning Most Valuable Player Matthew Stafford felt about his current employer acquiring his eventual replacement. 

During a Wednesday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," Stafford addressed what could be an awkward situation for those involved. 

Matthew Stafford is a big Ty Simpson fan

"I’m in with him in the meeting room, on the practice field, trying to share as much knowledge as I can," Stafford said about Simpson, per Eva Geitheim of Sports Illustrated. "Listen, I was a big fan of Ty when he was playing at Alabama. I sent him a text after he got drafted and said, 'Really enjoyed watching you play, just you were in the wrong jersey, you weren’t a [Georgia Bulldog].'"

Simpson previously shared that he received text messages from Stafford and from Stafford’s wife after the Alabama product was drafted by the Rams. Simpson has also made it known that he feels that "it’s really, really cool" to be sharing the Rams' quarterback room with the 38-year-old. 

That said, Stafford recently inked a contract extension that could keep him atop the Rams' depth chart through the 2027 season. The Rams and Stafford seem to be continuing their year-to-year arrangement, so one can currently only guess when Simpson will receive an opportunity to serve as a full-time QB1 at the highest level. 

Matthew Stafford makes promise to Ty Simpson

"He’s a talented kid," Stafford added about Simpson. "I’m going to do everything I can to get this team ready to play, to win, but at the same time share some of the knowledge I’ve gained throughout my career because I wouldn’t be in the seat that I am right now talking to you guys after a really good football season if I didn’t have people helping me along the way too. I’m happy to do that. He’s been a sponge. He’s looking to get better." 

The Rams clearly hope that learning from Stafford and developing as a backup through at least January 2027 will make Simpson a better overall quarterback. It remains to be seen if this situation will eventually get messy, but it sounds like everybody is on the same page heading into the start of June.