The Los Angeles Rams are living in the present—but they’re not ignoring the future.
Fresh off an MVP season from Matthew Stafford, the Rams made a fascinating move at No. 13, selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. On the surface, it might feel unnecessary. Why draft a quarterback when your current one just played the best football of his career?
Because great organizations think ahead.
Simpson isn’t being brought in to start right away. This is about succession planning—and doing it the right way. With Stafford still playing at an elite level, there’s no pressure on Simpson to carry the franchise early. Instead, he gets the ideal situation: time to develop behind a veteran who just showed what peak quarterback play looks like.
And Simpson has the tools worth developing.
At Alabama, he showed strong mechanics, accuracy, and poise under pressure. He’s not the flashiest quarterback in the class, but he’s efficient, smart, and capable of operating within structure—exactly what Sean McVay’s system demands. His ability to read defenses, deliver catchable balls, and move just enough outside the pocket makes him a clean fit in Los Angeles.
This pick isn’t about replacing Stafford today.
It’s about avoiding a crisis tomorrow.
Too many teams wait until it’s too late to find their next quarterback. The Rams are making sure that doesn’t happen. By drafting Simpson now, they’re giving themselves a chance to seamlessly transition whenever that time comes—whether it’s in two years or four.
There’s also a competitive edge to this move.
Even with an MVP quarterback, depth matters. Injuries happen. Seasons shift quickly. Having a capable young quarterback in the system provides insurance while also building toward long-term stability.
The Rams didn’t panic.
They didn’t chase need.
They made a calculated move that balances winning now with preparing for what’s next.
And if Simpson develops the way they hope, this pick won’t just be smart—it’ll be essential.
