In the months and weeks leading up to the opening night of the 2026 NFL Draft, debates about whether or not Alabama Crimson Tide
quarterback Ty Simpson was a first-round talent generated plenty of discussions on sports-talk programs.
Thus, some were downright stunned when the Los Angeles Rams made Simpson the 13th overall pick of the player-selection process. During a recent conversation with Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated, Simpson either intentionally or unintentionally sent somewhat of a message to those who previously thought he wasn’t worthy of being drafted in the first round.
Ty Simpson is looking forward to proving the Rams right
“I really didn’t care, to be honest with you,” Simpson said about certain takes that emerged about the Rams drafting him. “Everybody can have an opinion, but it’s my job to take care of my business. So, the Rams took me with the 13th overall pick, so now it’s my job to be the best player I can be, the best Ty I can be, and go out there and prove them right. I don’t really listen to all that. My job is to make sure to do whatever my team needs me to do to win and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Understandably, the Rams’ drafting of Simpson sparked plenty of questions about the future of the current Los Angeles starting quarterback and reigning Most Valuable Player, Matthew Stafford. On Thursday, it was learned that Stafford had signed an extension that will keep him under contract through the 2027 season. That said, it’s unclear if Stafford could retire from playing after he turns 39 years old in February of next year.
Ty Simpson opens up about working with Matthew Stafford, other Rams players
Earlier this month, Simpson revealed that he received text messages from Stafford and from Stafford’s wife after he was drafted by the Rams. During his chat with Manzano, Simpson discussed what he has already experienced while spending time with big-name players such as Stafford, Rams wide receiver Davante Adams and wideout Puka Nacua.
“Really, just how they go about things,” Simpson explained. “I think it’s really, really cool to, one, be in the room with Matthew, who has done it at a high level for so long, and then see it from a wide receiver standpoint with Davante and Puka. And Davante especially, because of him being similar to Matthew, but I think both of those guys are two guys who are one of the greatest at their positions. The fact that I can watch both of them at the same time on my team, it’s a big advantage for me.”
Stafford and Co. clearly hope Simpson won’t have to take a meaningful in-game snap anytime soon. The work that Simpson puts in behind the scenes as an unused backup could ultimately determine whether or not the Rams made the right call on the night of April 23.