The Rams surprised many by selecting Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, despite his lower consensus grade. This choice may be influenced by Simpson's connection to GM Les Snead and the team's need for a future quarterback.
Key points
Rams selected Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
Simpson's draft grade was lower than consensus expectations
Connection to GM Les Snead may have influenced the pick
Rams see Simpson as a future quarterback under Stafford's mentorship
Team has Super Bowl aspirations despite the surprising choice
With a roster bursting with talent ā and Super Bowl aspirations ā the Rams seemed likely to attempt to add win-now talent when they stepped to the stage with the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Instead, they took a flyer on a high-potential hurler with serious question marks. Los Angeles drafted Ty Simpson with its first-round pick, giving him a far higher draft grade than had been accepted by the consensus of scouts and draft experts.
The logic behind Simpson's selection is clear, even if some might think it's flawed. Matthew Stafford is nearing the end of his glittering career. In Simpson, the Rams think they landed an understudy who can learn all the tricks of the trade from his opposite number before taking over.
Furthermore, Simpson shares a curious relationship with Los Angeles' front office ā namely, its general manager, Les Snead.
With that, here's what you need to know about Simpson and Snead's relationship, a connection that could help explain the Rams' decision to pick him.
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Simpson's selection begins to make more sense when held next to his father's connection to the man tasked with selecting him, Snead. According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, Simpson's father and Snead go way back, striking up a "very strong relationship" over the years. Towards the end of Simpson's senior season, his father consulted a number of football talking heads to get insight on what his next steps should be.
A $6.5 million offer from Miami (FL) lay in wait for Simpson, who took to Tinseltown ahead of the Crimson Tide's Rose Bowl tilt against Indiana. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Rams hosted Simpson's parents at their facility. Conversations between Simpson's family and Snead took place, with Los Angeles' general manager effectively guaranteeing that the Rams would take Simpson with their first-round pick.
Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport suggested that Los Angeles could trade back to land Simpson closer to the end of the first round. In the end, the Rams held pat, choosing Simpson as Stafford's heir apparent with the No. 13 pick.
Snead's relationship with Simpson's father appeared to prove paramount on draft day. Simpson told reporters that he hadn't met McVay prior to his selection, although The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue noted that McVay hasn't met with a prospect before drafting them since 2020.
Nevertheless, McVay looked tenser than one would expect during his post-first-round press conference with Snead.
Only time will tell how the configuration of Snead, McVay and Simpson will work out in Hollywood. Snead's relationship with the latter is certain to draw some scrutiny in the weeks and months to come, however.
Simpson's father is John Simpson. He, too, is a football man, having played briefly at Mississippi State before transferring to Southern Miss to play baseball in the early 1990s.
Following his collegiate career, Simpson embarked on a coaching journey, earning position coaching gigs at Jacksonville State and Texas State and an offensive coordinator role at Chattanooga. In 2006, Simpson was hired as the head coach at FCS side UT-Martin. He has coached there ever since, leading the Skyhawks to five conference titles.
By selecting Simpson, the Rams secured their heir apparent to Stafford, an aging gunslinger who is in the twilight of his career.
Stafford's exploits during the 2025 season were spell-binding. He led the league in yards (4,707) and touchdowns (45) en route to capturing his first MVP at the tender age of 37. The likely future Hall of Famer also brought Los Angeles one game short of the Super Bowl.
Naturally, some might have wanted the Rams to strike while their elder sidewinder was hot, adding youthful talent to a roster that looks well-equipped to compete for a title once more in 2026. Snead and Co. had other plans, investing into the roster's post-Stafford future.
Simpson will not be Los Angeles' Day 1 starter. Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported that McVay informed Stafford of the Rams' decision to draft Simpson on Thursday, making "it clear it's for whenever Stafford decides to move on."
It seems Los Angeles is attempting to have Simpson watch on from the sidelines and soak up as much information from Stafford as possible before taking the reins of McVay's offense. There's a belief that Simpson's skillset -- marked by smooth mechanics, quick processing and touch -- could flash in McVay's system, even if his lackluster height and build leaves something to be desired.
