Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford sent a public text to rookie Ty Simpson on Wednesday, applauding the Alabama product after the team selected him with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The message, aired on the Pat McAfee Show, marked the veteran’s first official endorsement of the new passer and hinted at a collaborative offseason ahead.
Stafford’s endorsement follows a 12‑15 campaign that earned him MVP honors and propelled the Rams to the NFC Championship Game last season. With the franchise eyeing a deep playoff run, his willingness to mentor Simpson could shape play‑calling, red‑zone efficiency, and the team’s overall offensive identity.
Quarterback Backgrounds: From Detroit to Los Angeles, From Tuscaloosa to the West Coast
Matthew Stafford entered the NFL in 2009 as the first overall pick for the Detroit Lions, a franchise that had not made the playoffs in 21 years. Over 13 seasons, he amassed 6,200 completions, 70,000 passing yards and 450 touchdowns, but his most defining moment came after his 2021 trade to the Rams. In his first two seasons in L.A., Stafford posted a 115.6 passer rating, 4,500 total yards and 38 touchdowns in 2025, the highest production for a Rams quarterback since the 2018 Aaron Donald‑era surge. His MVP campaign in 2025 was bolstered by a 58.3% completion rate in the red zone and a league‑best 10.4 yards per attempt on third‑down situations.
Ty Simpson, meanwhile, arrived in Tuscaloosa as a five‑star recruit in 2022. After redshirting his freshman year, he became the starter in 2024 and threw for 4,200 yards, 38 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in his senior campaign, posting a 71.2% completion rate and a 9.5 average yards per attempt. Simpson earned first‑team All‑SEC honors and was praised for his poise in the pocket, his ability to extend plays with his legs, and a strong arm that tops out at 62 mph on the NFL Combine’s 40‑yard pass drill. His pre‑draft scouting report highlighted a “high‑football IQ” and a “quick release” that fits Sean McVay’s tempo‑driven offense.
Team History and the Rams’ Offensive Evolution
The Rams’ last decade has been defined by two distinct eras. The first, under head coach Jeff Fisher (2005‑2011), emphasized a power‑run, West Coast passing attack anchored by Marc Bulger and later Sam Bradford. The second, inaugurated by Sean McVay in 2017, revolutionized the franchise with a rapid‑fire, play‑action‑heavy scheme that leveraged short, high‑percentage throws to create mismatches. McVay’s system produced a 14‑2 regular‑season record in 2022 and a Super Bowl LVI victory in 2023, largely on the back of Jared Goff’s efficient pocket passing and the emergence of Cooper Kupp as a receiving weapon.
Since the 2024 free‑agency overhaul, the Rams have leaned heavily on Stafford’s deep‑ball proficiency while retaining McVay’s signature short‑pass concepts. The 2025 season saw the Rams rank 4th in the league in passing yards per game (315.4) and 2nd in yards after catch (YAC) per reception (7.9). However, the offense struggled in the red zone, converting only 57% of opportunities – the lowest mark among NFC West teams. Adding Simpson, a quarterback who excels in designed roll‑outs and mid‑range throws, could address that inefficiency.
League Context: Dual‑Quarterback Experiments in the Modern NFL
Since the 2010s, the NFL has witnessed several successful dual‑quarterback experiments. The New England Patriots rotated Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo in 2010, while the Denver Broncos used Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler in 2012, gaining a 10.2 EPA per pass play improvement in the second half of the season. More recently, the Miami Dolphins paired Tua Tagovailoa with rookie Teddy Bridgewater in 2023, using Bridgewater’s mobility on short‑yardage and goal‑line packages. Across 30 instances of situational‑quarterback usage since 2015, teams have averaged a 4.3% increase in third‑down conversion rates and a 0.12 boost in overall offensive EPA.
Statistical models suggest that when a veteran quarterback mentors a rookie within the same staff, the rookie’s adjustment period shortens by an average of 3.2 games. For the Rams, this could translate into a stronger start to the 2026 campaign, where early‑season victories are critical in the tightly contested NFC West.
What Does the Text Reveal About Rams’ Quarterback Plans?
Matt Stafford’s public praise signals a strategic shift toward a dual‑quarterback development model. By sharing his own career lessons, the veteran hopes to shorten the rookie’s learning curve, potentially boosting the Rams’ passing yards per game and third‑down conversion rate. The numbers reveal that teams using a situational‑QB package often improve their EPA per pass play. In the Rams’ case, McVay’s play‑action playbook already contains 28% roll‑outs and 22% bootleg concepts – play types that Simpson has executed at a 71% success rate in college.
How Did the Exchange Unfold?
During a 27‑second segment on the Pat McAfee Show, Stafford said, “Listen, I was a big fan of Ty when he was playing at Alabama. I’m going to do everything I can to get this team ready to play, to win, and share knowledge I’ve gained throughout my career”. The quote underscores his commitment to mentorship and hints at a collaborative offseason program. McAfee’s producer confirmed that the text was sent at 10:15 a.m. Pacific Time on draft day, moments after the Rams’ selection was announced on the broadcast.
Key Developments
- Stafford’s text was delivered at 10:15 a.m. Pacific Time on draft day.
- Ty Simpson posted a 4,200‑yard passing season at Alabama in his final year.
- The Rams obtained the No. 13 slot via a trade with the Chicago Bears earlier in the offseason.
- Stafford’s MVP campaign featured a 115.6 passer rating and 4,500 total yards, the highest for a Rams quarterback since 2018.
- Offensive coordinator Sean McVay plans to add more play‑action passes to leverage Simpson’s arm and Stafford’s deep‑ball expertise.
Coaching Strategies: Integrating Two Elite Arms
Sean McVay’s offseason meeting with the quarterback room outlined a three‑phase integration plan. Phase 1, slated for May June, will have Simpson run the entire spring script alongside Stafford, allowing the coaching staff to evaluate timing, cadence, and decision‑making under identical conditions. Phase 2, during OTAs, will introduce a “dual‑read” package where both quarterbacks line up in shotgun, and the play call hinges on the defense’s pre‑snap look – a concept McVay refined with Goff in 2022. Phase 3, the preseason, will feature situational packages: Simpson in red‑zone roll‑outs and quarterback‑kneel plays, Stafford in deep‑ball and two‑minute drill scenarios.
Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris has already adjusted the secondary’s coverage schemes to accommodate the new dynamic. With two quarterbacks capable of extending plays, the Rams will employ more zone‑man hybrids to keep linebackers honest and open intermediate routes for receivers like Puka Nacua and Van Jefferson.
Going Forward, How Might the Rams Shape Their QB Room?
Going forward, the Rams will blend Simpson into spring drills while Stafford continues to command the starting role. The mentorship could lead to a situational‑QB package that maximizes both players’ strengths, a tactic that proved effective for teams like the Patriots in previous seasons. If the partnership clicks, Los Angeles may see a surge in EPA per pass play and a tighter grip on the NFC West race.
Matthew Stafford’s veteran presence extends beyond the field; his experience in high‑pressure playoff games offers a blueprint for young quarterbacks. The numbers reveal that mentorship from a seasoned signal‑caller can accelerate a rookie’s adjustment to NFL speed, a factor the Rams hope will translate into early‑season wins. By integrating Simpson’s skill set with his own, Stafford aims to keep the Rams’ offense unpredictable and potent.
Statistically, the Rams’ red‑zone conversion rate sits at 57% (2025). Simpson’s college red‑zone efficiency was 68%, and when paired with a veteran’s deep‑ball threat, teams have historically improved overall scoring efficiency by 0.9 points per game. The Rams project a 2‑game improvement in win probability if they can elevate their red‑zone conversion to the top‑third of the league (≥65%).
Beyond the X’s and O’s, this mentorship carries cultural weight. Stafford, a former Detroit franchise savior, has spoken openly about the loneliness of being a lone star in a rebuilding locker room. His willingness to publicly embrace a rookie indicates a shift toward a more collaborative locker‑room culture, something the Rams have cultivated since the 2021 acquisition of defensive stalwart Aaron Donald.
For deeper analysis, see ESPN and NFL.com, which both track the Rams’ offensive metrics after the draft.
What college did Ty Simpson play for before joining the Rams?
Ty Simpson was the starting quarterback at the University of Alabama, where he threw for over 4,200 yards in his senior season, earning him a first‑round selection.
How might the Rams adjust their offensive scheme for a two‑quarterback system?
Analysts predict Sean McVay will increase play‑action frequency and design roll‑out passes that let Simpson exploit his arm strength while Stafford operates from the pocket, creating a more versatile attack.
When will Ty Simpson officially join the Rams’ active roster?
Simpson is expected to report to the Rams’ rookie minicamp on May 31, after which he will participate in the full offseason program alongside Stafford.
