NFL
Jadarian Price's fantasy football outlook after Seattle Seahawks take RB in 2026 NFL Draft
Jadarian Price's fantasy football outlook after being drafted by Seahawks.
Yahoo Sports1 min read
NFL
Why did the Rams draft Ty Simpson? Los Angeles stuns fans by selecting Alabama QB to back up Matthew Stafford
TL;DR
The Los Angeles Rams surprised fans by drafting Alabama QB Ty Simpson with the 13th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, despite having Matthew Stafford as their starting quarterback. This move signals a focus on the future, potentially preparing for life after Stafford.
Key points
- Los Angeles Rams drafted Ty Simpson with the 13th pick.
- Matthew Stafford is currently the starting quarterback.
- The move indicates planning for the post-Stafford era.
Mentioned in this story
Alabama Crimson Tide
Los Angeles RamsTy SimpsonMatthew Stafford2026 NFL Draft
Why did the Rams draft Ty Simpson? Los Angeles stuns fans by selecting Alabama QB to back up Matthew Stafford originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Rams pulled off the biggest stunner of the 2026 NFL Draft, landing their potential quarterback of the future.
Despite having a likely future Hall of Famer in Matthew Stafford already, Sean McVay and company used pick No. 13 in the first round on Alabama Crimson Tide passer Ty Simpson, who was expected to be a late-first or early-second rounder.
Instead, the Rams used their chance to grab Simpson, who becomes the backup to Stafford — and, according to Jay Glazer, it was a move made with the post-Stafford era in mind.
Here's why the Rams took Simpson at No. 13 overall in one of the 2026 NFL Draft's most surprising selections.
2026 NFL DRAFT HQ:Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players still available
Why did the Rams draft Ty Simpson?
The Rams have found plenty of success in the Stafford era, trading for the quarterback in 2021, then winning a Super Bowl and continuing to eye contention in the NFC. Stafford has blossomed into his later years as one of the NFL's best quarterbacks — at age 37, he finished second in MVP voting in 2025, leading one of the league's best air attacks.
Q&A
Why did the Rams draft Ty Simpson instead of other players?
The Rams drafted Ty Simpson to secure a potential future quarterback, indicating a strategic move for the post-Stafford era.
What does Ty Simpson's selection mean for Matthew Stafford's future?
Ty Simpson's selection suggests that the Rams are planning for a transition away from Matthew Stafford in the coming years.
What was Ty Simpson's expected draft position before the Rams selected him?
Ty Simpson was projected to be a late-first or early-second round pick before the Rams selected him with the 13th overall pick.
