With Fernando Mendoza penciled in as the No. 1 pick, many wondered where Ty Simpson would go. After starting just one year as a starter at Alabama, Simpson declared for the draft. The Los Angeles Rams selected him with the No. 13 pick in the first round. A former All-Pro chimed in with his opinion.
Richard Sherman Slams the Rams’ Selection of QB Ty Simpson
Simpson’s announcement as the Rams’ No. 13 selection made him the franchise’s future quarterback. Richard Sherman, who won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks as a starter, took to his self-titled podcast to blast the selection of the Alabama signal-caller.
“I’m shocked that Ty Simpson was drafted in the first round, and I am even more shocked by the team,” Sherman said. “I don’t see how this helps them this year. I really don’t see how it helps them next year.”
Standing in the way of Simpson on the depth chart is reigning MVP Matthew Stafford. Stafford led the league with 4,707 passing yards and a career-high 46 touchdowns. He landed at No. 6 in the PFSN NFL QB Impact Rankings.
ONE word.. SHOCKED! Why did the @RamsNFL Draft #TySimpson? Who does this help??#NFLDraft #Rams #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/d2IIK5qbpI
— Richard Sherman Podcast (@RShermanPodcast) April 24, 2026
The Rams, by virtue of their veteran quarterback and veteran receiver duo of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, look poised to win now. Earlier in the offseason, they traded for former Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl cornerback Trent McDuffie and also signed Jaylen Watson in free agency. Sherman also questioned the long-term sense of the selection.
“Maybe it helps them in the future, I’m not sure this is a first-round quarterback to begin with,” Sherman added. “This is an unnecessary pick for a team that’s expected to compete for the Super Bowl this year. Those kinds of teams draft guys that can help them now.”
Last season, for the fifth time in the team’s 90-year history, the Rams scored more than 500 points, finishing with 518.
Additionally, the run game contributed, ranking in the top 10 in rushing yards. As a result, Simpson’s selection does not appear to align with a team that advanced to the NFC Championship, losing to eventual champion Seattle.
Simpson, before last night, never spoke to either head coach, Sean McVay or general manager Les Snead, during the process. Normally, quarterbacks will meet with team management during the weeks leading up to the draft. On top of that, McVay did not appear overly enthusiastic about the selection.
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Instead, he offered his congratulations, which lacked the exuberance he normally exudes during press conferences.
Ultimately, Snead made the pick. Stafford just turned 38, leading a team that sent first-round draft capital to shore up their secondary as a direct response to both Seattle and the San Francisco 49ers. If Stafford plays two or more years, how will that affect Simpson’s maturation process?
