LOS ANGELES — The confetti from Matthew Stafford’s MVP speech has barely settled, but the Los Angeles Rams are already looking past their 38-year-old superstar. Despite Stafford confirming his return for the 2026 season after a career-best campaign, reports indicate General Manager Les Snead is aggressively scouting his successor. The primary target? Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
The Succession Plan: Why Simpson?
Stafford’s 2025 resurgence was nothing short of cinematic—4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns—but Father Time remains undefeated. According to ESPN’s Louis Riddick, the Rams have zeroed in on Simpson as the ideal candidate to hold the clipboard for a year before taking the reins in 2027.
Riddick dropped a bombshell on NFL Draft Daily, connecting the dots between Sean McVay’s offense and the Alabama signal-caller.
“I know personally they [Rams] like Ty Simpson from Alabama. When you look at Ty’s skillset and you think about Ty’s makeup that’s exactly what they’re looking for.”
— Louis Riddick, ESPN Analyst
Simpson, who listed at 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds at the Senior Bowl, fits the McVay mold: mobile enough to extend plays but disciplined enough to operate from the pocket. His 2025 season with the Crimson Tide solidified his first-round status, racking up 3,567 passing yards and 28 touchdowns against just five interceptions.
Draft Capital & Competition
The Rams hold valuable currency with two first-round picks (No. 13 and No. 29). However, they aren’t the only team hunting for a quarterback. The quarterback carousel is spinning fast this offseason, with the Jets, Raiders, and Dolphins all desperate for answers under center.
If Simpson slides past the top 10, Los Angeles could pounce at No. 13. Sitting a rookie behind a reigning MVP offers a rare luxury: development without immediate pressure. We saw a similar blueprint work in Green Bay, and McVay may be eager to replicate it.
Stafford’s “Last Dance” Mentality
Stafford’s announcement that he would return for 2026 sent a jolt through the NFC West. After falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship, the Rams are in “win-now” mode. Yet, Snead knows the window is closing.
The addition of a premium rookie quarterback wouldn’t just secure the future; it would light a fire under the current roster. Simpson brings a dual-threat element that Stafford lacks, potentially giving McVay a new toy to experiment with in red-zone packages as early as Week 1.
What’s Next: The Combine
All eyes now turn to Indianapolis. The NFL Combine runs from Feb. 23 to March 2, where Simpson will throw for scouts. A strong showing could vault him into the top 10, potentially forcing the Rams to trade up if they are truly sold on him being the heir to the throne.