Nobody expected the Los Angeles Rams to select Rams quarterback Ty Simpson at 13th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Not even the passer himself, as there was hardly any contact between the team and the player beforehand.

There was long speculation as to whether Ty Simpson would be drafted in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Even if he was, many draft experts expected that he would probably have had to wait until the end of the first round.

However, the quarterback was able to breathe a sigh of relief much sooner: the Los Angeles Rams took him at 13th overall, thus ensuring their future.

Ty Simpson on McVay and Stafford: “Two of the best offensive minds”

This makes Simpson an absolute dream landing spot. Not only can he learn from reigning MVP Matthew Stafford with the Rams, but with Sean McVay he also has one of the most successful head coaches in the NFL at his side.

Simpson reacted accordingly happily after the announcement of the pick: “McVay and Stafford are two of the best offensive minds. I’m incredibly happy, especially to play in Sean McVay’s offense will be unbelievable. But also learning from Matthew Stafford, one of the greatest players of all time, is a stroke of luck for me.”

Little contact with the Rams before the draft

Simpson had hardly expected this pick himself. Aside from the fact that scouts from the L.A. Rams, among others, were on hand for Alabama’s Pro Day, he knew nothing about the team’s interest.

“It was really brief,” Simpson said at the press conference about his first meeting with the Rams. “I met with some scouts in Alabama and that was about it. They talked to my agent, but it really wasn’t much.”

There was no contact at all with Les Snead, the Rams’ general manager, before the draft. “That was the first time I talked to Les tonight. That was my first contact.” He hadn’t heard from head coach Sean McVay either.

But that doesn’t change the fact that he’s happy about the surprising pick: “I really couldn’t be in a better position.” However, it is still unclear when Simpson will see his first action as an NFL starter. Even though Stafford is already 38 years old, the end of his career is not currently on the cards.

Written by Max