The Los Angeles Rams stunned NFL observers last night by selecting backup quarterback Ty Simpson early in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, a move immediately raising eyebrows given the team’s precarious position and the talent still available.
With the 13th overall pick—a prized asset the Rams acquired from the Atlanta Falcons—Los Angeles chose Simpson, a young quarterback with limited starting experience at Alabama. The decision to invest a top-half first-round pick on a clear backup, rather than on a player who might improve the team’s near-Super Bowl roster this season, has sparked sharp debate across the league.
McVay’s Tepid Reaction Raises Questions About Future Plans
Head coach Sean McVay appeared unenthusiastic during a brief media session following the pick, his reserved body language and sparse comments underscoring internal discomfort with the selection. While general manager Les Snead praised Simpson’s potential and compatibility with the Rams’ offensive scheme, McVay notably refrained from endorsing Simpson as the clear top choice remaining on the board.
McVay pointed out some scheme similarities between Simpson’s time at Alabama and the Rams’ playbook but stopped short of a glowing endorsement, suggesting the coaching staff didn’t necessarily plan on onboarding a rookie quarterback this year. This contrasts with the urgent need to eventually replace longtime starter Matthew Stafford, whose tenure in Los Angeles is nearing its end.
Backup QB or Future Franchise Leader? Analysts Divided
Simpson’s draft stock was considered shaky entering the NFL Draft, with most experts ranking him as a developmental prospect rather than a first-round talent. His history as a backup behind Jalen Milroe over two collegiate seasons adds to doubts about his readiness for a starting NFL role.
Rams fans and national observers alike are now left to wonder if the team sees Simpson as a legitimate successor to Stafford or simply as a project QB mistakenly drafted too early, preventing roster upgrades at other positions that could help the Rams sustain their championship window.
Trade Moves and Draft Strategy Under Scrutiny
The Rams’ front office leveraged last year’s trade of the 13th pick to Atlanta to acquire defensive back Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs this year. This maneuver freed the team to use their own first-round pick to select Simpson, but many question if that capital could have been better deployed to reinforce other areas of strength needed for immediate contention.
Comparisons to other picks from the top of the draft highlight the rarity of selecting a backup QB this early, especially for a team that just missed the Super Bowl. Arizona’s selection of standout running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 and the Tennessee Titans’ unexpected choice of wide receiver Carnell Tate further amplify the oddity of the Rams’ choice.
What’s Next for the Rams and Simpson?
As training camps open, all eyes will be on Sean McVay to see if his reputation as a “quarterback whisperer” can turn Simpson into a viable NFL starter, or if the pick will be remembered as a baffling gamble.
The move puts pressure on the Rams’ coaching staff to quickly develop Simpson while keeping the team competitive. Meanwhile, Stafford’s eventual departure means the Rams must prepare to hand the keys to a young quarterback sooner rather than later.
With no clear endorsement from McVay and questions arising about draft strategy, the Rams’ decision could reverberate throughout the league and shape the team’s competitive trajectory for years to come.
