The Los Angeles Rams are entering a pivotal offseason, and the conversation isn’t just about retooling for another playoff run. It’s about what comes next under center - and how the franchise plans to navigate the delicate transition from Matthew Stafford to whoever holds the keys to Sean McVay’s offense in the future.
On a recent episode of the Rams LAFB Show, hosts Ryan Anderson and Erin Coscarelli dug into a rumor that’s starting to gain traction: the Rams reportedly have their eyes on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. That nugget came from ESPN’s Louis Riddick, and while it’s just a draft-season whisper for now, it opens the door to a much larger conversation - one that could shape the next era of Rams football.
The Stafford Succession Plan: No Longer Hypothetical
Stafford’s coming back for 2026, and that’s good news for a Rams team still very much in the playoff mix. But the reality is, Stafford’s future is year-to-year. He’s 38, has dealt with injuries, and while he’s still got gas in the tank, the Rams can’t afford to wait until it’s empty to figure out what’s next.
That’s the balancing act facing general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay: how do you plan for the future without punting on the present?
As Anderson put it on the show, “You don’t wait until the position becomes a crisis. The best organizations draft and develop quarterbacks before they need them.”
And he’s right. The Rams have been aggressive in the past - trading picks for stars, pushing chips in for Super Bowls - but they’ve yet to seriously invest in a long-term quarterback successor.
That could be changing.
Why Ty Simpson Makes Sense in McVay’s System
If the Rams are indeed high on Ty Simpson, it’s not hard to see why. From a traits perspective, he fits the mold of what McVay looks for in a quarterback.
Start with the mental game. Simpson shows strong pre-snap processing and the ability to recognize defensive structures - a must in McVay’s offense, which demands quick decisions and constant adjustments.
His footwork is clean, his mechanics are solid, and he’s capable of working through progressions with poise. Add in functional mobility - the ability to escape pressure and extend plays without being a true dual-threat - and you’ve got a quarterback profile that checks a lot of boxes.
But let’s be clear: Simpson is still raw. He’s only started around 15 games in college, and that lack of experience means he’s more of a long-term project than an immediate contributor. He’s not walking into the league ready to start Week 1 - and that’s okay.
In fact, that might be the point.
The Redshirt Blueprint: Learning Without the Pressure
If the Rams do pull the trigger on Simpson or a similar developmental quarterback, the idea isn’t to throw him into the fire. It’s to let him learn - slowly, methodically, and with purpose.
McVay’s offense isn’t easy to master. It requires precision, timing, and deep understanding of defensive coverages.
But the Rams are uniquely positioned to bring a young quarterback along the right way. With Stafford still in the building, Simpson would have the chance to absorb everything from a seasoned veteran - how to study film, how to prepare for game day, how to lead a huddle.
These are the intangibles that don’t show up on a stat sheet but define success at the position.
Simpson would get valuable reps in meetings, walkthroughs, and scout-team situations. He’d have time to refine his mechanics, build confidence, and get comfortable with the speed of the NFL. And when the time comes, he’d be stepping into a system he already knows - not scrambling to catch up.
That kind of developmental runway is rare. And it’s the kind of setup that can turn potential into production.
The Rams’ Draft Philosophy: Betting on Traits, Not Guarantees
One thing we know about Les Snead’s front office: they don’t chase certainty - they make calculated bets. That approach has been shaped in part by concepts from Annie Duke’s Thinking in Bets, which has become something of a playbook for forward-thinking NFL executives.
Drafting a quarterback isn’t about finding a sure thing. It’s about identifying the right traits, putting that player in the right environment, and letting the process play out. The Rams believe in building infrastructure around their picks - and if they see Simpson as the kind of player who can thrive in their system, they’ll be comfortable taking that swing.
The question is when.
When Do the Rams Pull the Trigger?
The Rams have several options when it comes to drafting a quarterback, and each comes with its own set of trade-offs.
- Round 1: Bold, but expensive - especially for a player who might not see the field for a year or more.
- Middle Rounds: A more measured approach, taking a developmental swing like they’ve done in the past.
- Waiting Too Long: The riskiest path. Delay too much, and you’re left scrambling when the need becomes urgent.
Sure, there’s the occasional Brock Purdy story - a late-round pick who turns into a franchise guy - but banking on that kind of outcome is a gamble, not a strategy.
The Rams know they need to make a move. It’s not a matter of if, but when.
A Defining Decision for the Rams’ Future
This offseason is about more than just filling holes on the depth chart. It’s about setting the foundation for what comes after Stafford - and doing it without taking their foot off the gas in the present.
The Rams still believe they can contend. They’ve got talent, coaching, and a quarterback who’s proven he can win it all.
But they also know the clock is ticking. Stafford won’t play forever, and the next guy needs to be ready when his number’s called.
So whether it’s Ty Simpson or another young passer, the Rams are preparing for what’s next - not in a panic, but with purpose. They’re designing the next chapter while the current one is still being written.
And if they get it right, the transition could be seamless - a passing of the torch that keeps Los Angeles in the contender conversation for years to come.