Los Angeles Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a move that surprised analysts who projected him as a second-round selection.
The decision came as the Rams sought to plan for life after Matthew Stafford, who turned 38 in February and was named NFL MVP the previous season despite the team’s long-term planning.
Head coach Sean McVay appeared notably subdued when addressing reporters after the pick, contrasting with his typically animated demeanor, while general manager Les Snead appeared more energetic during the joint appearance.
McVay confirmed he had spoken to Stafford earlier in the day about the decision but declined to disclose details, stating “I’ll preserve that between us” when asked about their conversation.
When questioned about Simpson’s role, McVay responded that the rookie would “compete with [incumbent backup] Stetson Bennett” for the backup position, avoiding a definitive commitment.
Snead, who has a reported relationship with Simpson’s father and advised him on entering the draft, displayed greater enthusiasm than his coach during the media session.
Simpson revealed on Sirius XM that he had never met McVay prior to the draft, a detail consistent with the coach’s documented approach since 2020 of not meeting prospects before drafting them.
For more on this story, see Rams select QB Ty Simpson 13th overall to plan for post-Stafford future.
According to The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue, McVay does not attend the NFL combine or pre-draft all-star events, and the Rams do not conduct top-30 visits on prospective players.
When asked if they had specifically targeted Simpson, McVay delivered an extended response emphasizing the team’s evaluation process, stating “this is Matthew’s team” while discussing how Alabama’s offensive system under coordinator Ryan Grubb aligns with the Rams’ scheme.
McVay highlighted transferable skills from Simpson’s college career, including concepts, footwork, dropback mechanics, play action, and movement patterns that could translate to the NFL level.
The Rams’ selection represents a rare instance of a win-now franchise investing in a quarterback successor while maintaining their current starter, creating an unusual quarterback dynamic for the upcoming season.
Simpson expressed confidence in his readiness for the NFL, citing Alabama’s offensive infrastructure, coaching, and weight room preparation as factors in his decision to remain for his college career.
The pick adds to a quarterback-heavy first round that began with the Las Vegas Raiders selecting Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza as the first overall pick after he led the Hoosiers to a national title.
Why did the Rams select a quarterback when they already have an MVP-caliber starter?
The Rams are preparing for the future after Matthew Stafford’s age became a factor, even while insisting he remains the starter for now, as part of standard NFL succession planning for aging veterans.
How did Sean McVay’s behavior during the draft announcement differ from his usual public persona?
McVay appeared subdued and restrained when discussing the pick, contrasting with his typically expressive and energetic demeanor in public settings, which drew noticeable attention from reporters present.
