In today’s NFL, quarterback success isn’t just about arm strength or athleticism - it’s about where you land and who’s around to help you grow. Talent gets you drafted, but the right situation can make or break a career. And if we’ve learned anything over the past few seasons, it’s that a fresh start - or the right start - can change everything.
Just ask Sam Darnold. Written off by many after a rocky start to his career, Darnold just led the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl title.
He’s the latest example of how a change in environment - better coaching, a stronger roster, a clearer vision - can unlock a quarterback’s potential. Baker Mayfield and Daniel Jones have seen similar resurgences.
The common thread? A second chance in a better system.
That’s why all eyes are on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson as we inch closer to the 2026 NFL Draft. Simpson has the tools - there’s no question about that.
But where he lands could determine whether he’s the next breakout star or the latest cautionary tale. And according to ESPN’s Louis Riddick, there’s a team already doing their homework on him: the Los Angeles Rams.
Riddick says the Rams are high on Simpson’s skillset and makeup - and that’s a pairing that makes a lot of sense. The Rams hold two first-round picks this year (No. 13 and No. 29), giving them the flexibility to target a quarterback without sacrificing their ability to add another impact player. It’s the kind of draft capital that lets you plan for the future and stay competitive in the present.
And let’s be honest - the future at quarterback is something the Rams need to start thinking about. Matthew Stafford just turned 38.
He’s still playing at a high level - he’s the reigning MVP, after all - but Father Time is undefeated, and Stafford’s injury history is well documented. The Rams have squeezed every drop out of his arm, but it’s time to start grooming the next guy.
That’s where Simpson comes in. He’s not a finished product, and that’s okay.
He doesn’t need to be. If the Rams were to draft him, he’d have the luxury of sitting behind one of the smartest, toughest quarterbacks in the league.
That kind of apprenticeship - learning from Stafford, absorbing Sean McVay’s offense, adjusting to the speed of the NFL - could set Simpson up for long-term success.
We’ve seen this blueprint before. Green Bay pulled it off twice - first with Aaron Rodgers sitting behind Brett Favre, and more recently with Jordan Love learning behind Rodgers.
The result? A smooth transition without the dreaded rebuild.
The Packers stayed competitive while developing their next franchise QB in the background.
The Rams could follow that same path. With McVay at the helm and a strong infrastructure in place, Simpson would be stepping into a stable, quarterback-friendly environment.
He wouldn’t be asked to save a franchise on Day 1. He’d be given time - a rare commodity in today’s NFL - to grow into the role.
And when the time comes for him to take over, he wouldn’t be doing it cold. He’d be stepping into a system he knows, surrounded by playmakers, coached by one of the league’s best offensive minds. That’s how you set a young quarterback up to succeed.
So if the Rams are indeed eyeing Ty Simpson, it’s a move that checks a lot of boxes. For Los Angeles, it’s about smart succession planning.
For Simpson, it’s about landing in a spot where he can thrive. And for fans, it’s another reminder that in the NFL, fit is everything.