Leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, many were projecting the Los Angeles Rams to use their first-round pick on a receiver, tight end, offensive tackle, a pass-rusher, or defensive back. They ignored all suggestions and shockingly selected quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick instead.
The Simpson selection was the biggest surprise from draft weekend, especially considering Matthew Stafford had just won the NFL’s MVP award. Yet, he’s also 38, the second-oldest starting QB in football, behind a 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers. No one could fault the Rams for trying to plan ahead.
But did they get the pick right? Was Simpson the right QB to develop for the next year-plus? Some are skeptical.
Former NFL GM Believes Ty Simpson Is a Career Backup
Recently, former NFL general manager Scot McCloughan appeared on “The Kevin Sheehan Show” via The Team 980 and revealed his low expectations for Simpson. McCloughan believes Simpson was “overdrafted.”
“I think the quarterback from Alabama was overdrafted,” he said. “Not being a guru, but he’s like J.J. McCarthy. He’s like Mac Jones. He’s a career backup. Ideally, he might start, but that’s because where his pick was, and they want to prove everybody right. That’s not the way you should build a roster. Not at all.”
McCarthy does seem primed for a backup role in 2026, which will be the third season of his four-year rookie contract (a fifth year via a team option is available). As for Jones, he has become a career backup, but recent play, leading the San Francisco 49ers to a 5-3 record last season, could once again land him a starting role elsewhere in 2027 once the former first-round pick’s contract is up.
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Meanwhile, Rams general manager Les Snead has consistently built some of the best rosters since being paired with head coach Sean McVay in 2017. In doing so, Snead hasn’t been afraid to take big risks, like drafting a QB in the first round when you already have Stafford, who was ranked as the second-best quarterback last season, according to PFN’s QB Impact Metric.
Yet, Snead’s risks have routinely paid off in the past, and now the Rams are counting on Simpson to come through in a big way. Though, in a perfect world, they won’t have to break the glass on the 23-year-old at all in 2026, unless it’s to gain some on-field experience at the end of a blowout.
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With Stafford tacking on a one-year, $55 million contract extension back in May, he’s now tied to the Rams through the 2027-28 season. If the Rams move on from Stafford at that time, it would mean Simpson gets a chance to start heading into his third season, with one more year left on his rookie contract.
But first, Simpson has to prove he’s capable of playing at a high level, and some don’t think he can.
