Matthew Stafford Addresses Rams' Bold Move to Draft QB Ty Simpson
The Los Angeles Rams made headlines during the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting Ty Simpson as the 13th overall pick, raising eyebrows as they appeared to choose a potential replacement for Matthew Stafford. After weeks of speculation, Stafford finally addressed the situation during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show". Stafford shared insights about his relationship with Simpson, stating, "I'm in there with him in the meeting room, on the practice field, trying to share as much knowledge as I can." The 37-year-old veteran expressed admiration for Simpson, recalling his performances at Alabama, particularly a game where he threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns against Georgia. Stafford humorously noted, "I sent him a text after he got drafted...you were just in the wrong jersey. You weren't a Dawg." Interestingly, Simpson revealed that he had not heard from Stafford immediately after being drafted, although he did receive a warm welcome from Kelly Stafford, who reached out on social media. Simpson expressed eagerness to learn from Stafford, emphasizing his respect for the veteran quarterback's approach to the game. Despite the potential awkwardness of having a first-round pick as a successor, Stafford seems committed to mentoring Simpson. He stated, "I'm going to do everything I can to get this team ready to play, to win, but at the same time, share some of the knowledge that I've gained throughout my career." This unique situation marks only the second instance in the Super Bowl era where a reigning MVP's team drafted a quarterback in the first round, the last being in 1967 with the Green Bay Packers selecting Don Horn after Bart Starr's MVP season. As Stafford prepares for his first press conference of the offseason, he is likely to face further inquiries about the Rams' surprising decision.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-05-28