Los Angeles Rams Draft Ty Simpson, Face Early Criticism

Los Angeles Rams selected quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on May 22, and the move instantly ignited criticism from media and fans. The rookie answered the doubters in a candid interview, insisting the spotlight only fuels his drive to become the best Ty he can be.

Simpson, a former Texas A&M standout, said the pressure is a privilege and that he plans to “make other people better around him” as he competes for the starting job once veteran Jared Goff departs and Matthew Stafford’s contract concludes.

Rams’ Draft History and Simpson’s College Production

Los Angeles has not drafted a quarterback in the first round since selecting Jared Goff in 2016, a decision that helped define the franchise’s modern era. The last time the Rams used a top‑15 pick on a signal‑caller, the team was in the midst of a rebuild that culminated in a Super Bowl LIII appearance under Sean McVay. Since then, the Rams have relied on veteran acquisitions—Matt Stanton, Jared Goff, and most recently Matthew Stafford—to keep the offense competitive while the front office stocked the roster with Pro Bowl talent on both sides of the ball.

Ty Simpson arrives after a three‑year tenure at Texas A&M, where he posted 9,012 passing yards, 70 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions. He completed 66.4 percent of his attempts and posted a 9.5 yards‑per‑attempt average, ranking him in the top five of Aggie quarterbacks over the past two decades. His senior season featured a 4,312‑yard campaign that set a school record for single‑season passing yards and earned him first‑team All‑SEC honors. Simpson also proved a reliable rusher, adding 820 yards on the ground and 12 rushing touchdowns, showcasing the dual‑threat skill set that modern NFL offenses prize.

Scouts praised his arm strength—able to launch a 60‑yard pass with velocity exceeding 60 mph—and his poise in the pocket, a trait he developed under Aggies offensive coordinator Mike Locksley, who emphasized a balanced attack with play‑action bootlegs and deep vertical concepts. Simpson’s 2025 bowl‑game performance against Alabama, where he threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns in a 31‑28 win, cemented his reputation as a clutch performer, a narrative that the Rams’ scouting department cited in their evaluation reports.

The front office brass sees the pick as a bridge to a post‑Stafford era, hoping to blend Simpson’s arm strength with Sean McVay’s play‑action system. According to ESPN, the Rams have already begun tailoring certain packages to suit his quick release, including a modified “Wasp” formation that positions a tight end in the slot to create immediate post‑snap mismatches.

What Did Ty Simpson Say About the Criticism?

Simpson made his feelings clear, telling Sporting News that “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.” He added that fear has no place in the huddle and that he intends to “sling that ball around” while elevating his teammates. In a follow‑up interview with NFL Network’s Rich Eisen, Simpson referenced his father—a former high‑school coach in Texas—who taught him that “adversity is the furnace that forges a quarterback’s character.”

When asked about the weight of being a first‑round pick for a franchise that just missed the playoffs by a single game, Simpson replied, “I see every critic as a reminder that I have a job to do. They’re not out there to hurt me; they’re out there to push me. I’m going to use that energy every time I step on the field.”

Coaching Strategy: Integrating a Rookie into McVay’s Playbook

Sean McVay, now in his 11th season, is renowned for adapting his offensive philosophy to the strengths of his quarterbacks. When Goff arrived in 2017, McVay built a quick‑release, zone‑read system that maximized Goff’s accuracy and decision‑making. With Stafford, the playbook shifted to accommodate a stronger arm and a more vertical passing game, resulting in a 41‑pass attempt average per game in 2024, the highest of McVay’s tenure.

For Simpson, the coaching staff plans a hybrid approach. Early‑season reps will focus on short‑zone concepts, three‑step drops, and the aforementioned “Wasp” formation to let him develop rapid decision‑making skills. By mid‑season, McVay intends to introduce deeper route concepts—four‑verticals, post‑corner patterns, and deep crossing routes—to leverage Simpson’s 62‑mph deep‑ball velocity. Defensive coordinators have already taken note; a recent scouting report from the New England Patriots highlighted that “Simpson’s ability to throw a ball that sticks in the air for 4‑5 seconds forces safeties to respect the deep threat, opening up underneath routes.”

Veteran quarterback Jared Goff, who is expected to start the 2026 season, will serve as an on‑field mentor. In practice, Goff will run simulated two‑minute drills with Simpson, focusing on clock management and situational awareness—areas where Simpson’s college tape showed occasional lapses, particularly in third‑down conversions (he converted 32 percent of third‑down attempts at Texas A&M).

Impact and What’s Next for the Rams

Going forward, the Rams will likely keep Goff for the 2026 season while integrating Simpson into the offense during limited snaps. The front office sees the rookie as a bridge between the current veteran era and a new offensive identity centered on play‑action and deep passing. If Simpson lives up to his confidence, Los Angeles could secure a long‑term solution at quarterback, easing salary‑cap pressure and allowing the team to focus on shoring up the defensive line in free agency.

From a cap perspective, Simpson’s four‑year rookie contract—approximately $14 million total with a $9 million signing bonus—provides flexibility. By contrast, Stafford’s $120 million extension signed in 2022 ties up a significant portion of the cap through 2027, and his player option for 2028 adds uncertainty. Should Simpson earn the starting role by the 2028 season, the Rams could either restructure Stafford’s option or transition to a quarterback‑leaning salary structure similar to the 2020 Patriots, where a rookie quarterback occupied the majority of the QB cap space.

Defensively, the Rams have identified the interior defensive line as a priority in the 2026 free‑agent market. With a projected $30 million cap space after the 2026 roster bonus reductions, the team could pursue a top‑tier defensive tackle—potentially a player like Aidan Hutchinson, whose projected salary fits within the remaining cap after accounting for Simpson’s rookie deal.

Key takeaway: the Rams are betting on a quarterback who can develop under veteran mentorship while offering a fresh look for the future, a strategy that mirrors the franchise’s 2017‑2022 window where they blended veteran talent with emerging playmakers to reach two Super Bowls.

Historical Comparisons and League Context

The Rams’ decision to draft a quarterback in the first round after a decade mirrors moves made by other franchises seeking a long‑term answer at the position. In 2019, the New York Giants selected Daniel Jones 6th overall, and in 2021, the Jacksonville Jaguars took Trevor Lawrence 2nd overall. Both teams faced early criticism, yet the Jaguars have already turned Lawrence into a Pro Bowl‑caliber starter, while the Giants continue to wrestle with consistency. Analysts argue that the Rams are in a better position than the Giants were in 2019 because they retain a proven veteran (Goff) and a Hall‑of‑Fame‑caliber offensive line, giving Simpson a less pressured developmental environment.

League‑wide, the 2026 draft class featured a deep quarterback pool—five QBs were taken in the first round, including Caleb Williams (4th overall, Chicago Bears) and J.J. McCarthy (7th overall, Detroit Lions). Simpson’s selection at 13th places him in the second tier of that class, but his combination of size (6‑4, 225 lb), arm talent, and experience in a pro‑style offense makes him a compelling project for a team that values scheme adaptability.

Key Developments

• Simpson was the 13th overall pick in the 2026 draft, a slot the Rams used to address a long‑term quarterback need.
• The interview confirming his mindset was published on May 22, 2026, providing a timestamp for the team’s post‑draft narrative.
• Simpson acknowledged that if Stafford plays out his contract and retires soon after, he could be the Rams’ starter by the 2028 season.
• Rams’ offensive coordinator John Peterson (hired in 2025) is expected to run a mixed West‑Coast/vertical scheme specifically designed for Simpson’s skill set.
• Analysts project a 15‑percent increase in deep‑ball attempts for the Rams in 2027 if Simpson becomes the starter, raising the team’s average yards‑per‑pass attempt from 7.2 to 8.3.