Drafting Ty Simpson was necessary for Rams

Q: Why did the Rams draft Ty Simpson?

The Rams drafted Ty Simpson to address their quarterback succession and reset salary cap realities while aiming for long-term success.

Q: How does Ty Simpson's rookie contract benefit the Rams?

Simpson's rookie contract allows the Rams to build a deeper supporting cast around him, leveraging salary cap space effectively.

Q: What challenges does the Rams face after drafting Simpson?

The Rams must decide whether to extend key players or risk losing them to free agency, as they navigate their roster's future.

Q: Who are some key players at risk for the Rams in the coming years?

Key players at risk include Puka Nacua, Alaric Jackson, and Steve Avila, among others, as the Rams manage their salary cap and roster decisions.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: (EDITORS NOTE: This image was created using a tilt-shift lens.) Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide poses on the NFL Network set during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images As much as the Los Angeles Rams’ selection of quarterback Ty Simpson was a shock for fans and the NFL community, it was a necessary pick at 13th overall. LA has successfully rebuilt its roster through the draft since their 2021 Super Bowl victory and subsequent collapse. Simpson is a needle the team is hoping to thread in order to stave off a similar downturn. If Simpson successfully becomes the Rams’ next franchise quarterback, he will help solve a slew of problems for his new team:

More salary cap space to re-sign ascending players
Retaining premium draft capital
Flexibility to add veterans through trades and free agency
Ending the year-to-year cycle with Matthew Stafford A fork in the road was placed in front of the Rams. Les Snead and Sean McVay were given two options: go all-in for another Super Bowl or hedge their bets for sustained success in the future. They instead asked, **“why not BOTH?”** The selection of Simpson was far from a panic move. It also was not a luxury pick. Taking a quarterback addresses the franchise’s precarious quarterback succession, resets salary cap realities, and extends the team’s window of contention. There is no other way to interpret this news than to conclude that McVay and Snead are building the roster for the long haul. In some ways it is counter instinctual and the riskiest possible decision; however, fans should applaud the regime for trying to have it both ways.

Salary cap reset

The rookie contract quarterback window remains one of the most significant advantages in football. Recently we’ve seen the following teams leverage such on their way to a conference championship:

Jayden Daniels & Washington Commanders
Brock Purdy & San Francisco 49ers
Jalen Hurts & Philadelphia Eagles
Jared Goff & Los Angeles Rams
Drake Maye & New England Patriots
Bo Nix & Denver Broncos
Joe Burrow & Cincinnati Bengals
Josh Allen & Buffalo Bills
Patrick Mahomes & Kansas City Chiefs The Eagles, 49ers, Bills, and Chiefs sustained their success as their quarterbacks transitioned to long-term, high-cost deals; however, this doesn’t disprove the upper hand that helped them reach new heights initially. Teams can assemble much deeper supporting casts around a quarterback on a rookie contract. It’s a reality. Afterwards the hope is that your signal caller is elite enough to elevate those around them and create a new competitive edge despite a lesser overall roster. Whether Simpson can become an upper echelon passer remains to be seen, but at least for the foreseeable future he will make roster building easier for LA. The Rams are soon to be victims of their own successes. After stringing together impressive draft classes starting in 2023, they must decide between extending those players or risk losing them to free agency. The same goes for key contributors that were signed from outside teams or those looking for their third NFL contract. At risk for over the next couple of years are:

Keeping options open

The Rams landed their future quarterback with a single first round pick. Let that sink in. In order to take Goff in 2026 the team traded a total of six picks to the Tennessee Titans that included two first rounders and two second rounders. Stafford cost the Rams Goff, two first-round picks, and a third-round selection. Snead and McVay expect to draft at the back of the first round each year. Picking at #13 was a bonus gifted to them by the Atlanta Falcons, and they made sure to capitalize. What does that mean to the team moving forward? Well, they can easily get more aggressive in order to maximize the Super Bowl window with Stafford and build a competitive roster for Simpson thereafter. The Rams no longer need their top picks in a draft class next year that will supposedly have more options at quarterback. They already have their guy. The Browns, Jets, Cardinals, Vikings, Dolphins, Steelers, Colts, Saints, Panthers, and Falcons could all be willing to part with players in exchange for dry powder in 2027, especially if their season starts in a disappointing fashion. LA is in a position to take advantage. By investing in Simpson now, the Rams are choosing controlled risk over complacency. If he hits, Los Angeles gets to chase another ring with Stafford while already building the bridge to its next era. Should LA miss, they’ve spent only a single first-rounder to take a swing at football’s most important position. For a franchise boldly refusing to pick between present contention and future stability, that’s exactly the kind of bet worth making. This was necessary. Ty Simpson is not a luxury pick.