The Los Angeles Rams defied most draft projections by picking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 13. He will back up veteran Matthew Stafford, who should be a great role model for the rookie. The Rams had more pressing needs to address in the first round, but drafting Simpson has highlighted a significant role for the Crimson Tide signal-caller.

“The #Rams informed Matthew Stafford today that they plan to take Ty Simpson at No. 13. Stafford was told the pick is for when he retires, whenever that ends up being, per @JayGlazer,” Ari Meirov reported via X.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter had previously reported that the Rams were “eyeing” the former Alabama quarterback with their 29th pick. While the pick was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs to get corner Trent McDuffie, the Rams have stuck to their plan to select Simpson. The 23-year-old was ranked the second-best signal-caller in the 2026 class after recording 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns last season.

However, concerns around Simpson stem from him being a one-year starter who took the college football world by storm in the first half of the season. But struggled in the back half, highlighted by a poor performance against Eastern Illinois, where he threw two picks, followed by defeats in the SEC Championship and the Rose Bowl.

Despite these issues, his arm talent and other quality attributes helped Ty Simpson get picked by the Rams in the first round. In Los Angeles, he will continue learning from Matthew Stafford, as he did throughout his time at Alabama.

“He’s one of the greatest of all time…we watched his film all the time while I was at ‘Bama…I couldn’t ask for a better situation,” Simpson said, per Bridget Condon on the NFL Network.

While the addition of Ty Simpson to a quarterback room that includes Stetson Bennett IV and Jimmy Garoppolo puts a timer on Matthew Stafford’s career with the Rams, the reigning MVP is expected to be the starting quarterback in LA, with the franchise nearing an extension as per a recent report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.

Rams and Matthew Stafford make “significant progress” on an extension

The Rams front office has reportedly made “significant progress” regarding an extension for QB1 Matthew Stafford, according to Ian Rapoport. Coming off the best year of his career, leading the league with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns, Stafford will earn $48.266 million this season.

The reigning MVP signed a four-year, $160 million extension with the Rams in March 2022, which included $135 million in guaranteed money. Then, in 2024, the contract was restructured to increase his earnings for that season by $5 million while boosting his 2025 roster bonus. Now, ahead of the 2026 season, the Rams front office hopes to do the same.

“The Rams and MVP QB Matthew Stafford have made significant progress on a new extension that should put Stafford in the building for the 2026 offseason,” Rapoport wrote on X.

If both parties reach an agreement on an extension, the Rams would continue to compete for the Super Bowl while allowing Ty Simpson enough time to develop as the next franchise quarterback in Los Angeles.