Ty Simpson knows he has a long road ahead of him with the Los Angeles Rams after Matthew Stafford signed a new deal with the team, while speaking on working under the reigning MVP
08:36 ET, 23 Jun 2026Updated 08:36 ET, 23 Jun 2026
Ty Simpson of Alabama celebrates after being selected thirteenth overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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The Los Angeles Rams shocked the NFL world by drafting Ty Simpson(Image: Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Ty Simpson admits he is hoping he is "not annoying" Matthew Stafford while looking to learn from the veteran quarterback with the Los Angeles Rams.
The Rams surprisingly selected Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the NFL Draft, despite Stafford winning the MVP last season before signing a two-year deal to stay with the team. Simpson is not likely to play until the 2028 season - meaning he would have started just one season of football from 2023 through to 2028.
The quarterback has embraced being the back-up behind Stafford and will look to learn wherever he can, while being conscious of not getting in his way, giving a glowing first comment on their relationship despite concerns he might annoy his older teammate.
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Simpson told the LA Times: "I hope I’m not annoying him... but I really appreciate the big brother kind of role he’s playing in my development.
"He is the MVP for a reason. Everything he does, he’s so just aware of everything, aware of how everything works. I really appreciate him and Stetson taking me in and answering all the questions I have.”
The quarterback has gone to a team that is unlikely to give him a shot at playing any time soon, with many questioning the pick - with the Rams in their Super Bowl window and needing to get the most out of their roster.
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Ty Simpson will look to learn from Matt Stafford(Image: Getty Images)
But Simpson has ignoring all the noise around him. He said: "I really didn't care, to be honest with you. Everybody can have an opinion, but it's my job to take care of my business.
"So, the Rams took me with the 13th overall pick, so now it's my job to be the best player I can be, the best Ty I can be, and go out there and prove them right.
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"I don't really listen to all that. My job is to make sure to do whatever my team needs me to do to win and that's what I'm going to do."
Despite the Rams using a first-round pick on him, head coach Sean McVay revealed that Simpson will first have to earn the back-up job - currently occupied by two-time National Championship winning quarterback Stetson Bennett.
McVay said of Simpson being the QB2: "We'll see. He's going to compete with Stetson."