Overview
- The Rams used the No. 13 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on June 2, 2026 to select former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
- Los Angeles has publicly positioned Simpson as Matthew Stafford’s eventual successor and does not plan to start him in 2026 unless Stafford is unavailable.
- ESPN and other analysts argued the selection hurt the Rams’ short-term title window, saying a veteran backup could have cost far less and matched the team’s win-now roster.
- Former NFL GM Scot McCloughan called Simpson “overdrafted,” likening him to J.J. McCarthy and Mac Jones and warning he could be a career backup.
- With Stafford returning after an MVP season and the team adding defensive pieces, training camp and the preseason will be crucial to assess Simpson’s readiness and the Rams’ short-term quarterback depth.