While the Los Angeles Rams may not be hurting for a quarterback right now, that does not mean they should not be considering their options for the future.
According to ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, Los Angeles is high on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Riddick recently said he knows personally that the Rams like Simpson and believes his makeup and skill set are exactly what they are looking for.
“I know they like Ty Simpson and his skillset, and his makeup is exactly what they’re looking for,” said Riddick over the weekend.
Should the Rams use one of their two first-round picks on Simpson and start the process of developing a successor to Matthew Stafford?
“I know they like Ty Simpson and his skillset and his makeup is exactly what they’re looking for,” said Riddick over the weekend. Should the Rams use one of their two first round picks on Simpson and start the process of developing a successor to Matthew Stafford, who isn’t Stetson Bennett?
Louis Riddick on yesterday’s NFL Draft Daily “I know personally they (Rams) like Ty Simpson. His skillset and makeup is exactly what they’re looking for” pic.twitter.com/cnKTWXVRg9
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 14, 2026
Preparing for Life After Matthew Stafford
Realistically, Matthew Stafford’s time in Los Angeles as a starting quarterback is closer to the end than it is the beginning.
Stafford has delivered time after time for the Rams. In his first season with the organization, he helped them win a Super Bowl. They are always a contender come playoff time, and the Rams narrowly missed out on playing in another Super Bowl just last month after a crushing defeat to the now Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. However, Stafford is 38 years old and at the tail end of his career.
If the Rams truly think that Simpson could be their quarterback of the future, drafting him and allowing him to sit under the learning tree that is Matthew Stafford for a year or two and absorb knowledge would be a good thing.
Why Ty Simpson?
A few years ago, Simpson was not considered a very serious draft prospect. After finally earning the starting job at Alabama, he threw for 28 touchdowns and only five interceptions, which are solid numbers. Aside from that, he carries himself very professionally, and coaches definitely see value in that.
The debate, however, is that he was not exactly a headline maker oozing charisma like Fernando Mendoza. He had one very good season after spending the past few years more or less waiting in line for an opportunity.
Because the Rams have two first round picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, they have the flexibility to make that gamble and draft someone like Simpson. The timing is right for the Rams to draft another quarterback. While Stafford has committed for another year, an aging quarterback like him is just one injury away from his NFL career ending.
Smart Investment or Reach?
The Rams have two first round picks. That gives them room to breathe a little. They can fill a hole on the roster right now, or they can think ahead and take a shot on a quarterback for the future.
If they honestly believe Simpson is the guy who can eventually take over for Stafford, this would be the time to do it. You do not wait until you are desperate. You plan before things fall apart.
Now it just comes down to this: Do they really see Simpson as that next guy, or not?