Overview
- In April the Rams used the No. 13 overall pick on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson and then signed Matthew Stafford to a one‑year, $55 million extension, a sequence that locks Stafford in as the starter for now and delays Simpson’s timeline to start.
- Rams leadership says Simpson is a long‑term, developmental prospect who will train under head coach Sean McVay and veteran players, a deliberate succession plan rather than an immediate roster fix.
- Simpson has publicly shrugged off criticism of his draft slot and said he welcomes the chance to study Stafford, Davante Adams and Puka Nacua in Los Angeles as a 'big advantage' for his growth.
- League evaluators and media reacted with surprise and mixed grades for the pick, with some teams reportedly valuing Simpson much lower than a mid‑first‑round choice, prompting ongoing debate about the move’s short‑term value.
- By pairing the pick with offseason reinforcements and Stafford’s extension the Rams aim to stay competitive now while creating a structured path to replace Stafford later, a strategy that could shape their cap and roster decisions over the next two seasons.