Matthew Stafford Acknowledges Reality of Rams’ Future Plans with Ty Simpson: ‘I’m Not 25 Years Old’

Given that Matthew Stafford is approaching 40, the Rams drafted Alabama's Ty Simpson and Stafford isn't salty about the development.

Matthew Stafford Acknowledges Reality of Rams’ Future Plans with Ty Simpson: ‘I’m Not 25 Years Old’

Ty Simpson and Matthew Stafford (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Matthew Stafford acknowledges his age and supports the Rams' decision to draft quarterback Ty Simpson.
  • Stafford emphasizes the importance of mentoring Simpson as he begins his NFL career.
  • He expresses uncertainty about his future in football, taking it year by year while considering family input.

Matthew Stafford played the best football of his NFL career last year. Stafford completed 388 passes (65%) for 4707 yards, 46 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. AP crowned him the league’s best player.

However, Stafford is slowly approaching the twilight of his career. He’s 38, an age where most quarterbacks tend to step away from the game. For that reason, he’s on board with the Los Angeles Rams decision to draft a younger guy—Alabama’s Ty Simpson. He told the reporters:

I understand where the team’s coming from. Listen, I’m not 25 years old and I get that. We’re doing everything we can to be as good a football team as we can for now, for the future, for all of it.

Rams head coach Sean McVay made headlines after his team drafted Simpson 13th overall. Fans speculated from his grumpy expression that he wasn’t keen on selecting a quarterback. McVay dismissed the claims and clarified that he was worried this move might leave a bad impression on Stafford. But that never happened.

Later, it was reported that McVay and Simpson met in secret, and the Rams had planned on drafting him for a while. Speaking with reporters during the rookie minicamp, Simpson revealed that he and Stafford are on very good terms.

It was funny because, of course, [Matthew Stafford] was like, ‘Welcome, man. I’m super pumped. He was like, ‘Loved watching you play, but you played for the wrong jersey’ — because he’s pumping up Georgia.

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Matthew Stafford shares his honest opinion on whether he will mentor Ty Simpson

Simpson spent four years with the Crimson Tide but started only 15 games, all of them in his final year of college. He registered 305 completions for 3567 yards, 28 passing touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. Bama played the Indiana Hoosiers in the Rose Bowl and lost.

Matthew Stafford Acknowledges Reality of Rams’ Future Plans with Ty Simpson: ‘I’m Not 25 Years Old’
Matthew Stafford (Image via IMAGO)

Simpson is very raw and needs help from veterans to get him up to speed with NFL life. Stafford said:

My job, first and foremost, is to get myself and our team ready to play as best as I possibly can. [Ty’s] a part of that team. We’re in a unique position in that we play the same position, I have a ton of experience, and he’s just now starting his journey as an NFL player.

Simpson won’t be seeing gametime anytime soon. First of all, he must outperform Stetson Bennett and secure the backup job.

Matthew Stafford discussed how much longer he will play

Stafford signed a one-year contract extension to stay in LA. But what is his plan afterward? Will he continue with a different team or retire? Stafford said on the Pat McAfee Show this week:

It is something delicate. I got to, you know, navigate the end of it, and I’m not sure when that is. I want to be fair to our team, but I also want to be fair to myself, and take this thing year to year.

The Georgia alum also noted the importance of keeping his family in the loop. He added:

I talk about those with my wife [Kelly], with my kids. They want me to keep doing it as long as I feel good and I’m excited about it, which I am. We’ve got a really good team in LA… and it’s a whole bunch of fun.

Drafted first overall in 2009, Stafford has played 239 games, divided between the Lions and the Rams. In those games, he has racked up 5562 completions, 64,516 yards, 423 touchdowns, and 196 interceptions.

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