How will Matthew Stafford react to the selection of Ty Simpson?

TL;DR

The Rams selected quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick, raising questions about Matthew Stafford's reaction. Coach Sean McVay has publicly praised Stafford's response, but the true nature of Stafford's feelings remains unclear.

Key points

Rams selected Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick
Matthew Stafford's reaction to the pick is uncertain
Sean McVay publicly praised Stafford's response
The pick raises questions about Stafford's future
First time since 1967 an MVP has seen a replacement drafted

Rams

It's now obvious that the Rams have twisted themselves into an ever-changing Eldredge knot over the messaging associated with the stunning decision to use the 13th overall pick in the draft on quarterback Ty Simpson. And the overriding purpose of the fast-moving shell game has been the ongoing management of the relationship with the NFL's reigning MVP — quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Now that the truth (we think) has come out, it's fair to wonder how Stafford will react.

Yes, McVay has praised Stafford's private response publicly. But what else would McVay say? Everything about this has been not about the truth but about selling a version of it that advances and protects the Rams' interests.

And that's OK. In football, teams mislead all the time. There are strategic reasons for doing so, because the truth can compromise the overriding strategies.

As to Stafford, there's a to-date unknown truth regarding his true thoughts as to the decision to use the 13th overall pick in the draft (the same selection the Rams used in 2014 to select Aaron Donald) on someone who won't do anything to help close the wafer-thin gap with the Seahawks for NFC West, NFC, and NFL supremacy. For the first time since 1967 (when the Packers used a first-round pick on quarterback Don Horn after Bart Starr was named league MVP), the current MVP has seen his potential replacement arrive with the first round of the next draft.

Stafford has said he'll play this year. A contract has not yet been finalized. The terms (most importantly, the structure) will be key. Stafford, who's on a year-to-year arrangement with the Rams, may want a true one-year deal, possibly with a no-tag clause for 2027.

Or maybe he'll ask to be traded, now. (There aren't many obvious destinations, but someone would surely scrap their current depth chart for him.) Or maybe he'll decide, like Donald did two years ago, that Stafford has had enough.

He's made $400 million. He doesn't need to keep playing.

The Rams were close enough to another Super Bowl win to taste it. They used their bonus pick from the Falcons not on a game-ready player who will get the Rams over the top but on a guy who ideally won't play in 2026, except in garbage time of blowout wins.

Q&A

How did Matthew Stafford respond to the Rams drafting Ty Simpson?

Matthew Stafford's private response to the drafting of Ty Simpson has been praised by Coach Sean McVay, but the specifics of Stafford's feelings are not fully known.

What does Ty Simpson's selection mean for Matthew Stafford's future with the Rams?

The selection of Ty Simpson could indicate the Rams' long-term plans for quarterback succession, potentially impacting Stafford's future with the team.

When was the last time an NFL MVP had their replacement drafted in the first round?

The last time an NFL MVP had their potential replacement drafted in the first round was in 1967, when the Packers selected Don Horn after Bart Starr won the MVP.