Rams Draft Simpson 13th Overall, Stafford Remains QB1

The Los Angeles Rams used the 13th overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night to select quarterback Ty Simpson, a move that places him in line as a potential long-term successor to veteran starter Matthew Stafford. The selection adds a first-round quarterback to a roster led by Stafford, who is 38, while the team emphasized that the immediate plan remains unchanged.

Rams coach Sean McVay said Stafford will continue as the team’s primary quarterback, underscoring the current hierarchy with the statement, “This is Matthew’s team.” McVay also said he had told Stafford in advance that the Rams intended to draft Simpson, and Stafford reportedly responded positively to the plan.

The pick also carried a historical note tied to Stafford’s recent accolades. This is the first time since 1967 that a team has drafted a first-round quarterback after its current quarterback won the NFL MVP award, which Stafford did in 2025. The Rams’ decision therefore pairs a high-profile incumbent with a first-round addition in a way that has been rare in the league’s modern draft history.

Simpson arrives from Alabama with a relatively limited starting résumé compared with many first-round quarterbacks. He started 15 games for Alabama, and those 15 career college starts are the fourth fewest for a first-round quarterback in the last 25 years. In his final collegiate season, Simpson completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Simpson said he is eager to learn from Stafford, describing the veteran as “one of the greatest of all time.” The Rams, for their part, have not used a first-round pick on a quarterback since selecting Jared Goff in 2016. Simpson is only the third first-round quarterback chosen by the franchise in the common draft era, highlighting how infrequently the organization has used top draft capital at the position.

For the Rams, the selection creates a clear developmental track while keeping the current starter in place. The team has publicly framed the move as adding a high-upside quarterback without changing Stafford’s status, leaving open questions about how quickly Simpson will be expected to progress and what his early role will look like behind an established veteran.