Rams draft Ty Simpson from Alabama, What does it mean for Matthew Stafford’s future in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Rams didn’t wait around to address their future at quarterback. With the 13th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, they selected Alabama’s Ty Simpson, a move that quickly shifted the conversation from immediate contention to long-term planning. Simpson entered the night with a wide range of projections, rarely linked to the top half of the first round. Yet the Rams saw enough to act early. Now, the 23-year-old walks into a locker room led by the league’s reigning MVP, with time on his side and expectations quietly building.For now, Ty Simpson’s role is clearly defined. He slots in behind Matthew Stafford, who is coming off arguably the finest season of his career. At 38, Stafford remains firmly in control of the offense, but questions about how long he wants to keep playing have lingered. The Rams didn’t ignore that reality. They leaned into it.Simpson offers traits that fit what Sean McVay wants to run. His accuracy stands out, especially in tight windows. He moves well within the pocket and rarely looks rushed, even when protection breaks down. Still, there’s a gap between potential and readiness. Simpson started just one full season in college, and that lack of experience showed late in 2025 when his draft stock dipped.That context matters. The Rams are not asking him to contribute right away. Instead, this is a developmental year. Simpson will learn the system, adjust to NFL speed, and work behind a quarterback who understands every nuance of the position. It’s a patient approach, and one the franchise has used before with success.Behind Stafford, the depth chart is thin but open. Stetson Bennett IV remains in the mix, though Simpson is expected to take control of the backup role sooner rather than later. With Jimmy Garoppolo unsigned and weighing retirement, the opportunity is there.There’s also clarity in how this decision was handled. According to FOX’s Jay Glazer, the Rams informed Stafford of their plan before making the pick, emphasizing that this was about securing the future. That message matters in a veteran locker room.Reactions outside the building were mixed. “The Rams are getting ready for life without Matthew Stafford,” one person said. “They were so close last year, and opt for the future rather than the now. Stafford can’t be a happy camper right now.” Another added, “Wow did not think Ty Simpson would go this early.”Internally, though, this wasn’t a surprise. “When Ty Simpson was trying to decide whether or not he should come out of Alabama and enter the draft, his father consulted with, among other people, Les Snead, the GM of the Rams, who told him Ty was, in fact, a first-rounder,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said, via On3. “Could the Rams, maybe in a trade-back situation, be looking at Simpson? We shall see.”They didn’t trade back. They didn’t hesitate. Now the timeline begins, even if the spotlight doesn’t arrive right away.