The consensus belief around the NFL is that Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is winding down his career. So, on Thursday night, Los Angeles used the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to select Stafford’s successor.
Los Angeles drafted former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson higher than most any prognosticator thought he’d go.
Maybe even higher than Rams head coach Sean McVay thought.
If the veteran coach was happy with the pick, he didn’t show it. During a press conference alongside Rams general manager Les Snead, McVay was looking visibly frustrated with the decision by the organization to draft a quarterback. The Rams had a clear need at receiver, or they could have added a weapon elsewhere to help the organization maximize whatever time Stafford has remaining.
McVay was asked if he had any dialogue with Stafford about the pick.
“Yeah, I did,” he responded.
When asked what that conversation was, McVay answered simply, “I’ll keep that between us.”
When asked if he expected Simpson to back up Stafford, McVay was short yet again.
“We’ll see. He’s going to compete with Stetson [Bennett],” McVay said.
The very next question was for either man at the dais. How, a reporter asked, did the Rams decide between taking a player who could help a “win now” roster in the present versus a player who would contribute in the future? McVay looked at Snead, who said they could draft a player to help now, only to lose that player to an injury.
“I don’t know if you can ever take someone in the draft and say they’re going to come in and play, especially on a team like ours,” Snead said.
Simpson said in a radio interview on SiriusXM after the selection that he never once spoke to McVay during the predraft process. In a media availability with reporters, he said Thursday night was the first time he spoke with Snead.
The first-round pick had “no clue” he was going to be drafted by the Rams.
McVay said “no” when asked if the Simpson pick would influence contract negotiations with Stafford. He made it clear the Rams still run through the 38-year-old quarterback.
The Rams have one pick in the second round and one pick in the third. Their next selection doesn’t come until the sixth round. We’ll see if they go after a player who can help Stafford.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
