The Los Angeles Rams were in the NFC Championship Game last year, and they got there thanks to MVP-winning quarterback Matthew Stafford. Many would think they would use the NFL Draft to select some players who can help them win now.
However, that could not be further from the truth. The Rams used the 13th overall pick to select Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, who will sit behind Stafford until he decides to retire.
It was the strangest pick of the first round, and Rams head coach Sean McVay did not seem thrilled with the selection. McVay wants to compete for a Super Bowl in 2026, and he knows he needs Stafford at his best to do so.
NFL Analyst Says McVay Was “Pissed”
It makes sense that McVay would be unhappy with the selection, as Simpson will very likely not play for him in 2026. However, McVay’s body language at the post-first-round press conference could have been much better. According to Mike Florio, “McVay was salty, McVay was truculent, McVay was pissed.”
The last thing McVay wants to see is Stafford get upset that the Rams selected a QB in the first round. So, Florio mentioned that McVay’s actions could be aimed at ensuring that Stafford is still the guy in LA.
Florio said, “This was McVay’s way of ensuring that quarterback Matthew Stafford did not get the wrong idea. Did not emerge with the misimpression that the selection of Simpson is like Aaron Rodgers/Jordan Love or Kirk Cousins/Michael Penix Jr., they are not looking to close the door on Matthew Stafford.”
For more context, click the video below to hear what PFSN analysts had to say on Football Debate Club during their live draft show.
Last season, Stafford showed no signs of slowing down. He threw for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns, which both led the NFL. According to PFSN’s NFL QB Impact metrics, Stafford finished as the No. 6 overall QB in the NFL with an impact score of 83.4. He should be in for another massive season in this Rams offense.
Rams Remain One of the Super Bowl Favorites
Despite the Rams not helping themselves much in the 2026 draft, they remain one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl heading into next season.
The Rams may not have added any players that will help them in the draft, but they did trade for cornerback Trent McDuffie this offseason, who is one of the best in the league.
Stafford still has offensive skill players among the best in the league, including Puka Nacua and Davante Adams at WR and Kyren Williams at RB.
Also, having an innovative playcaller like McVay should always put the Rams in a position to succeed. Unless something happens to Stafford, Simpson will not see the field in 2026, and that would be just fine with McVay.
