Matthew Stafford on Ty Simpson: ‘He’s been a sponge’

When the Los Angeles Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the April 23 NFL Draft, it turned heads across the league. The surprise was compounded by coach Sean McVay’s noticeably somber appearance during the post-draft press conference, which led to speculation about his feelings toward the pick.

Stafford Embraces the Mentor Role

McVay later clarified that his demeanor wasn't a reflection of the team's decision to draft Simpson, but rather a reflection of his concern regarding how veteran star Matthew Stafford might perceive the arrival of a high-draft-pick successor. However, those concerns have been put to rest. During an appearance on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show Primetime State of Sports this past Wednesday, Stafford made it clear that he is fully on board with the addition.

"I’m in there with him in the meeting room, on the practice field trying to share as much knowledge as I can," said Stafford. The veteran signal-caller noted that he had followed Simpson’s collegiate career at Alabama, even joking that the only issue was that Simpson hadn't played for Georgia. "He’s been a sponge, man. He’s looking to get better, and really that’s everybody on our team, all the young guys that we picked."

Building a Legacy

Stafford is currently preparing for his 18th professional season. Since entering the league as the top pick in 2009, he has built a Hall of Fame-caliber resume, including earning the NFL Most Valuable Player Award for the 2025 season and helping the Rams reach the NFC Championship Game. His transition from the Detroit Lions to Los Angeles has been fruitful, highlighted by a 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.

While he is signed through the 2027 season, Stafford remains focused on taking his career one year at a time. "I love playing this game... I want to be fair to our team, but I also want to be fair to myself and take this thing year to year," Stafford stated regarding his future.

The Rams are currently working through their initial week of OTAs, which conclude on Thursday. The team’s comprehensive offseason program is slated to wrap up on June 16, offering plenty of time for the veteran-rookie relationship to develop on the practice field.

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