Rams Select Alabama QB Ty Simpson 13th Overall as Matthew Stafford Successor
The Los Angeles Rams surprised everyone at the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick. Simpson is expected to replace Matthew Stafford, who has talked about retiring.

The Los Angeles Rams shocked the football world Thursday by using the 13th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. The selection was the biggest surprise of the draft so far.
Simpson becomes the heir apparent to Matthew Stafford, the reigning NFL MVP who has mused about retirement recently. The Rams clearly wanted to get ahead of losing their veteran quarterback.
The pick raises questions about Simpson's readiness. He was only a one-year starter at Alabama and had an up-and-down season with the Crimson Tide. Most draft experts had not predicted the Rams would take a quarterback this early.
The selection shows the Rams are thinking long-term despite having a championship-caliber team right now. Stafford led them to success, but at his age, the team needed to plan for the future.
This move signals the Rams are planning for life after their star quarterback Matthew Stafford. For Rams fans, it means the team is thinking ahead to keep their offense strong when Stafford retires.
Simpson will likely sit behind Stafford for at least one season to learn the system.
Was this article helpful?
0 people found this helpful