Matthew Stafford made it clear he’s not worried about the Rams spending their first-round pick on rookie quarterback Ty Simpson, saying he’s already working alongside the Alabama standout to share what he’s learned from his own NFL journey.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford didn’t sound like a veteran bracing for pressure. He sounded like someone already leaning into the next week of work—meeting rooms, practice fields, and all.
When asked about the team’s decision to use its first-round draft pick on rookie quarterback Ty Simpson. Stafford pushed back on any idea that he’d be upset. Instead. he told Pat McAfee that he’s “happy to work with Simpson. ” with the kind of hands-on support that only comes from someone who’s lived the process.
“I’m in there with him in the meeting room, on the practice field, trying to share as much knowledge as I can. I was a big fan of Ty when he was playing at Alabama,” Stafford said.
Stafford admitted there’s one part of Simpson’s college path he didn’t enjoy—the sight of Alabama beating Stafford’s alma mater, Georgia, last season. Even then, he said he otherwise liked what he saw from Simpson.
“I sent him a text after he got drafted and said, ‘Really enjoyed watching you play, just that you were in the wrong jersey,’” Stafford said. “I did enjoy watching him play. He’s a talented kid.”
The message wasn’t just encouragement. Stafford described it as a transfer of experience—something he believes helped him when he was a first-round rookie himself.
“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. because I wouldn’t be in the seat I am now. after a really good football season. if I didn’t have people helping me out along the way. so I’m happy to do that. ” Stafford said. “He’s been a sponge. He’s looking to get better.”.
It’s the sort of setup that can change the feel of a quarterback room quickly: one veteran taking the lead in preparation, one rookie arriving ready to absorb it, and the Rams moving forward without any visible friction around the draft pick that brought Simpson in.
Matthew Stafford Ty Simpson Los Angeles Rams NFL quarterback Alabama Georgia first-round draft pick Pat McAfee