Night one of the 2026 NFL draft has concluded, and the event was packed with excitement and unexpected twists and turns, as usual. While the Detroit Lions played it safe and drafted offensive tackle Blake Miller as their No. 17 overall pick, the Los Angeles Rams switched things up and got themselves a player many see as a Matthew Stafford successor.
Stafford is obviously the Los Angeles Rams’ starting quarterback for the 2026-27 season and the foreseeable future. He was awarded the prized NFL MVP award in February for his excellence on the field.
But, Stafford is 38 years old, and he’s getting up there in age for a quarterback in the NFL. He’s at the time in his career where each season, the questions start pouring in, asking, “When are you going to retire?”
On Thursday, April 23, the Los Angeles Rams made a surprise first-round move and drafted quarterback Ty Simpson from Alabama. He’s largely being seen as a Stafford successor.
Former Detroit Lions Quarterback Matthew Stafford Gets a Successor With the Los Angeles Rams
So, Simpson is going to Los Angeles, and it’s a move that makes sense, even though it’s a bit surprising. Dan Zaksheske of Fox News calls the selection a “stunning departure from a franchise known for trading away first-round picks to win now” but adds that “the selection isn’t completely out of left field and is arguably the best-case scenario for Simpson.”
Los Angeles has Stafford as their starting quarterback for the 2026-27 season, but he could retire after that. So, Simpson is assurance and, if all goes well, a successor.
“Now, Simpson gets to sit behind one of the NFL’s best veteran quarterbacks, learn the position while adapting to life in the NFL, and not face immediate pressure to succeed,” Zaksheske states. “Additionally, the Rams are one of the most well-run franchises in the league right now.”
He adds that “Sean McVay is an elite head coach who led the team to a Super Bowl victory to cap the 2021 season and just had the team within one win of another Super Bowl berth before falling to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship.”
So, this is a win-win situation for both Simpson and the Rams. Sure, some rookies don’t want to sit at the sidelines for a year while they wait for that starting quarterback role, but Simpson is landing with a team that could be Super Bowl-bound and learning under the best.
Matthew Stafford is Coming Off His MVP Victory
Stafford, who was the franchise quarterback for the Lions from 2009 to 2020, won the MVP award earlier this year after taking the Rams close to another championship. During his acceptance speech, he thanked his wife, someone Detroiters know well, Kelly Stafford.
“I want to let you know the sacrifices. I see you. I love you,” Stafford said accepting the award. He also gave his four daughters a shoutout, stating, “I appreciate you very much. And to my four beautiful daughters, who I’m lucky enough to be sharing the stage with: Chandler, Sawyer, Hunter, Tyler, I’m so happy to be able to teach the blessings and those lessons of this game to you guys, through you guys.”
We wish both Simpson and Stafford the best on the field with the Rams, so long as they’re not playing the Detroit Lions.
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