Ty Simpson makes his Rams debut

(News4usonline) – The second day of the 2026 NFL Draft for the Los Angeles Rams came and went without a hiccup. There was no shock value element to a draft choice as it was on the draft’s first day when the Rams tuned out the outside noise to get Matthew Stafford’s potential successor.  

Outside of former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson making an introductory press conference appearance with his family, the Rams took the normal and traditional route of going about their business in finding and selecting the best talent available that would suit their ballclub. 

Of course, that’s what Rams general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay did on the draft’s first day. It’s just that the Rams going after a quarterback early in the first round just months removed from Stafford being named the NFL’s regular season MVP, was a stunning and bold move. 

“We’re always going to make decisions that we think are best for the short and the long term. We will be excited to be able to get to work with him. That’s where we’re at,” McVay said during a team draft press conference on April 23. 

For Snead, the choice to make Simpson the Rams’ top draft pick was obvious. He’s a playmaker. During the 2025 college football season, Simpson completed a little more than 64 percent of his passes and threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns.  

“I think that at the end of the day, probably processing football, someone who can execute a passing offense. He has mobility so that’s probably the macro,” Snead remarked. “There are a lot more variables that go into it, but that’s the macro I would say.”   

Not too many people get an opportunity to play behind a league MVP.  This is the situation Simpson has been placed in after the Rams drafted him in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 13th pick. 

The comparisons between Stafford and Simpson are on the short list. Both play the quarterback position. Both men played their collegiate careers at reputable Southeastern Conference (SEC) schools (Stafford at the University of Georgia: Simpson at the University of Alabama). 

Now, both are employees of the Rams. 

That’s where the similarities probably end. Stafford is a longtime veteran of NFL wars. He’s a Super Bowl champion. Simpson decided to forgo his senior season at Alabama to get his feet wet in NFL life. He now has that opportunity.     

However, Simpson deferred any similarities between himself and Stafford as being not close in semblance.  

“I think Matthew definitely has played the game a little longer,” said Simpson. “He’s more instinctive and really understands the game a little bit better. I feel that Matthew always plays on time and he always plays great with his feet. He doesn’t flinch. That’s something to where I can’t wait to see him in action and see how he prepares in practice and see when he takes those calculated risks. There is not a throw that I feel like I can’t make on the field, but I have to make sure that I throw it on time.” 

Stunned. Shocked. Surprised. Unexpected. Grateful. A wide range of emotions has engulfed Simpson since he got the call of a lifetime telling him he is officially a member of the Rams. 

“A dream and true. I was a first round draft pick,” Simpson said during an introductory press conference to the LA media. 

“Not only a first round draft pick, but at a great organization like the Los Angeles Rams with the best head coach in the league, the best quarterback in the league and the best Rams franchise in the league. It’s a perfect situation. I’m super blessed. God’s blessed me in so many different ways and I’m just so happy to be here in Los Angeles,” Simpson added. 

It’s been a whirlwind for Simpson. Simpson arrived in Southern California to make his appearance as a member of the Rams. The day before, on Thursday, April 23, Simpson was overcome with joy and excitement when the Rams selected him so early in the draft.  

Simpson getting scooped up in the first round of the draft is no real surprise when you consider that Alabama has been designated as a quarterback factory the last few seasons.

Actually, it’s been a lot longer than that. Jalen Hurts (Eagles), Jalen Milroe (Seahawks), Bryce Young (Panthers), Mac Jones (49ers), and Tua Tagovailoa are names that come to mind when you think about quarterback and the University of Alabama. 

Obviously, when you think of Alabama football, playing for national championships and appearances at the top-tier college football bowl games come to mind. Simpson led the Crimson Tide to a trip to the Rose Bowl Game to play against the draft’s No.1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza (Las Vegas Raiders) and the University of Indiana. 

The Hoosiers prevailed. Simpson and the Crimson Tide found themselves ousted from the College Football Playoff. Once that experience was over, Simpson and his teammates boarded a plane and headed back to Alabama. 

Not in his wildest dreams did Simpson think he would be back and making Southern California home.

“No. You know what’s so funny, too? We did a walkthrough in SoFi [Stadium] and it was raining, too. So I was like, ‘Man, this is really weird. Why am I feeling rain and it’s in Cali and it’s like a dome? That was the last thing I ever thought about SoFi,” Simpson said.  

“Then ironically enough, it’s going to be my home stadium. I’m, I guess, a redneck in Los Angeles, California so we’ll see how that goes. I’m super excited to be here. This is a great place with great people. I can’t wait to get started,” he went on to say. 

Cover Art/Photo credit: Sammy Saludo / News4usonline