“I Just Want to Pick His Brain,” Ty Simpson Awaits Matthew Stafford Call After Kelly Stafford Welcomes Him

The Rams did not spend the 13th pick on Ty Simpson because they needed a Week 1 quarterback. They spent it because Matthew Stafford is 38, Sean McVay is still chasing championships, and Los Angeles could not ignore the calendar attached to the most important position in the sport.

That made Simpson’s first Rams press conference more than a rookie introduction. It became the first public snapshot of a delicate quarterback handoff that has not started yet, and may not start soon. Stafford remains the centerpiece. He is coming off an MVP season, the Rams still view themselves as contenders, and McVay has made it clear Simpson is not entering the building to take the job. The Alabama quarterback is entering to learn it.

The Simpson pick gained another layer of scrutiny when McVay’s subdued draft-night reaction went viral. Cameras caught a coach who looked far less animated than usual, and the reaction fueled questions about whether the Rams’ staff was fully aligned on the quarterback choice.

McVay later pushed back on that reading. He said he and Snead were aligned and that the Rams were excited to add Simpson, while also stressing respect for Stafford and the sensitivity of drafting a quarterback behind him. The first contact from the Stafford side, however, did not come from Matthew. It came from Kelly Stafford, whose welcome message gave Simpson’s arrival a personal note before the football work begins.

1. Kelly Stafford Breaks the Ice While Ty Simpson ‘Super Ecstatic’ to Pick Matthew’s Brain

Simpson said Kelly contacted him on Instagram after the Rams drafted him No. 13 overall. He said Matthew had not contacted him at the time of the interview. Kelly’s message, according to Simpson, welcomed him and offered help if he or his family needed anything in Los Angeles. Simpson did not say the message included any discussion about football, the Rams’ offense or Matthew Stafford’s role. He said, “Kelly has actually texted me on Instagram and welcomed me and told me to hit her up if we need anything but I can’t wait to talk to Matthew. I’m super ecstatic because I just want to pick his brain.”

2. The High-Stakes Rationale Behind Rams’ Controversial No. 13 QB Pivot

Los Angeles’ decision to take Simpson at No. 13 landed as one of the first round’s sharpest pivots because of the Rams’ current roster reality. They are not rebuilding. They are not clearing the deck. They are trying to extend a competitive window while acknowledging that Stafford’s career is much closer to the finish than the start. That is why the selection carried immediate criticism. A team with championship expectations used premium capital on a quarterback who may not play meaningful snaps as a rookie. ESPN described the decision as a “weighty” one because the Rams still have Stafford leading an offense built to compete now. The Rams’ public line has been consistent. Stafford is the starter. Simpson will compete for the backup role. McVay and general manager Les Snead have framed the pick as long-range planning, not a quarterback controversy. That distinction matters because first-round quarterbacks rarely arrive quietly. Simpson’s draft slot guarantees attention, but his path is not built around immediate disruption. His first assignment is to earn a role behind Stafford and absorb McVay’s system. For Los Angeles, the move mirrors the tension every contender with an aging quarterback eventually faces. Waiting too long can leave a franchise exposed. Moving early can create noise. The Rams chose the latter risk.

3. Sean McVay Bet the Rams’ Future on Ty Simpson’s ‘Unusual’ Resume

Simpson’s college resume is unusual for a first-round quarterback. He spent years waiting at Alabama before finally becoming the Crimson Tide’s full-time starter, then turned one season of production into a top-15 selection. In 2025, Simpson threw for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions across 15 games. Alabama finished 11-4, and Simpson’s efficiency gave NFL teams enough evidence to project him beyond his limited starting experience. His final college appearance was far less clean. Simpson suffered a cracked rib in Alabama’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal loss to Indiana in the Rose Bowl, leaving after a performance that included 67 passing yards. That game did not scare off the Rams. Los Angeles had already committed to Simpson before the Rose Bowl after meeting with him and his family during the playoff week in Southern California. The Rams were buying the larger evaluation, i.e., arm talent, processing traits, Alabama background, and fit with McVay. They were not buying one postseason box score. McVay also made clear the transition is not being forced. Reports have emphasized that Stafford remains the team’s quarterback, with Simpson expected to compete with Stetson Bennett IV for backup duties. That clarification was necessary because the Rams are managing two messages at once. They must support Stafford as their present-day leader while developing Simpson as a potential future starter. That leaves Simpson in a controlled but scrutinized role. Every training camp rep will be watched. Every Stafford interaction will be parsed. Every McVay comment will be measured against the Rams’ long-term quarterback plan.

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• Ty Simpson
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