Rams Drafting Ty Simpson with No. 13 Overall Pick Stuns Fans – “Thanks Dan”

No one expected Alabama Crimson Tide junior quarterback Ty Simpson to go higher than a late first-round pick.

Rams Drafting Ty Simpson with No. 13 Overall Pick Stuns Fans – “Thanks Dan”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Ty Simpson (Image via Bleacher Report/X)

In Short
  • Los Angeles Rams selected quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
  • Fans expressed disbelief at the Rams' decision, viewing it as a significant reach for the player.
  • The Rams are planning for Matthew Stafford's eventual retirement, with Simpson expected to develop under his guidance.

After the Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, everyone watching the NFL Draft knew that the drama surrounding Ty Simpson was just about to start.

Most mock drafts positioned the Alabama quarterback to go late in the first round or early in the second. Many felt that QB-needy teams such as the New York Jets or the Arizona Cardinals could make a run for him in the second round.

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky received some heat after he tried to project that Simpson was better than Mendoza. Not only was his integrity questioned, but many felt that the network should fire him.

Even then, he continued to harp on about the 23-year-old’s abilities as if he was overtly sure about his prospects as a future success. That is, even though his colleagues weren’t too high on Simpson.

Some of his colleagues even suggested that the highest he could go was maybe at No. 21 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, it seems no one had a clue as to what NFL executives or coaches thought about the QB.

After 12 players were selected in the 2026 Draft, it was the Los Angeles Rams’ turn, and they thought Ty Simpson was a good enough player to bet their future on, and selected him with their No. 13 overall pick.

Fans in disbelief after Rams draft Ty Simpson

It so happens that Rams head coach Sean McVay had discussed Ty Simpson while sitting down with Kay Adams at the NFL meetings. But he was careful not to disclose anything.

Even though some might have known about this discussion, no one was prepared for the franchise to select the Tennessee native this early. After all, they have other needs and could have reinforced their squad ahead of a Super Bowl push.

Not only did fans feel that this was a massive reach, but they also believed that Dan Orlovsky’s over-the-top effort to sell Simpson worked. Check out examples of those reactions.

The great Nick Saban suggested that Ty Simpson needs further development before he will be ready to lead a team. Maybe the Los Angeles Rams have the best situation for that to happen, as they have the league’s MVP in their facilities to show the rookie the ropes.

Matthew Stafford knew about Ty Simpson’s selection beforehand

If Ty Simpson was on the Los Angeles Rams’ radar, it seems Sean McVay and the rest of the top brass did not want to keep their starting quarterback out of the loop.

Ty Simpson and his parents at the NFL Draft
Ty Simpson and his parents at the NFL Draft (Image via NFL/X)

Rams are drafting QB Ty Simpson with the 13th pick. Sean McVay actually told Matthew Stafford today of their decision and made it clear it’s for whenever Stafford decides to move on.

Jay Glazer wrote on X

That means that the franchise was actively planning for Matthew Stafford‘s retirement. He may be the league’s best quarterback, but the entire world knows he was about to quit the sport before last season.

Many might believe that he is just 38, which is not an age for top QBs to retire. But McVay’s message to his signal caller indicates that Ty Simpson will continue to develop under his and Stafford’s guidance until the latter decides to end his stellar career.

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