Why did the Rams draft Ty Simpson? Los Angeles stuns fans by selecting Alabama QB to back up Matthew Stafford originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Rams pulled off the biggest stunner of the 2026 NFL Draft, landing their potential quarterback of the future.
Despite having a likely future Hall of Famer in Matthew Stafford already, Sean McVay and company used pick No. 13 in the first round on Alabama Crimson Tide passer Ty Simpson, who was expected to be a late-first or early-second rounder.
Instead, the Rams used their chance to grab Simpson, who becomes the backup to Stafford — and, according to Jay Glazer, it was a move made with the post-Stafford era in mind.
Here's why the Rams took Simpson at No. 13 overall in one of the 2026 NFL Draft's most surprising selections.
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The Rams have found plenty of success in the Stafford era, trading for the quarterback in 2021, then winning a Super Bowl and continuing to eye contention in the NFC. Stafford has blossomed into his later years as one of the NFL's best quarterbacks — at age 37, he finished second in MVP voting in 2025, leading one of the league's best air attacks.
But Stafford's age — and his back-and-forth contract negotiations with the Rams over the years — have signaled that the end of his career is approaching, one way or another. Taking Simpson is all about the future for the Rams, which is a bit of a shift in the philosophy for a franchise that is known for swapping top draft capital for current stars.
By taking Simpson, L.A. lands a young passer with strong mechanics and processing skills who can learn behind an all-time-great in Stafford for the 2026 season, at the very least. In the long-term, the Rams are hoping Simpson can then blossom into a capable starter for McVay's offense.
Per Glazer, McVay told Stafford of their decision to take Simpson at No. 13 on Thursday, and "made it clear it’s for whenever Stafford decides to move on."
Despite his recent success, Stafford is in the twilight of his career one way or another. He's expected to remain the Rams' star quarterback for at least 2026 — but his contract is up after the coming season. L.A.'s pick is about eyeing the future of its offense.