Los Angeles Rams rookie Ty Simpson has received criticism from pundits despite not even appearing in an NFL game yet. Will the quarterback from Alabama shut up the naysayers?
With the 13th overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, the Rams were expected to select a wide receiver or offensive lineman to help star quarterback Matthew Stafford. But instead, they shocked the world by taking Simpson.
Former Washington general manager Scot McCloughan blasted Simpson, calling him a career backup.
“I think the quarterback from Alabama is overdrafted,” McCloughan said in an appearance on The Team 980. “But it’s the position alone, you know. I think, not being a guru, but he’s like [Minnesota Vikings quarterback] J.J. McCarthy. He’s like [former New England Patriots quarterback] Mac Jones. He’s a career backup. Ideally, he might start, but that’s because of where his pick was, and they want to prove everybody right, you know, type of thing. And that’s not the way you should build a roster. Not at all.”
Will Simpson be nothing more than a career backup? Or will the Rams rookie develop into a quality starter? Nobody, of course, knows the answer to that question just yet.
Rams Rookie Ty Simpson Could Prove His Doubters Wrong
His Career Thus
Simpson attended Westview High School in Martin, Tennessee. During his senior year, he passed for 2,827 yards and 41 touchdowns against three interceptions. He also rushed for 862 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Simpson was rated a five-star recruit coming out of high school. He received college offers from schools like Clemson, Tennessee, and Ole Miss. Yet, he ultimately committed to Alabama.
In 2022, Simpson redshirted his freshman season at Alabama. Current Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young was the starter that year. Simpson then served as a backup the following two years.
Simpson was named the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback in 2025. This past season, he threw for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions while completing 64.5 percent of his passes. Simpson had several big-time games, like his 382-yard, four-touchdown performance against Wisconsin. He also threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns versus Vanderbilt.
Simpson led Alabama to an appearance in the SEC championship and earned a 34-24 win over Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff. However, they lost 38-3 to Indiana in the Rose Bowl.
Simpson later opted to enter the 2026 NFL Draft over returning to Alabama – or entering the Transfer Portal.
Will Simpson Become a Star?
During the 2021 offseason, the Rams acquired Stafford from the Detroit Lions in a deal involving fellow quarterback Jared Goff. Stafford has had an incredible stint in Los Angeles. In his first season with the Rams, he led the team to a victory in Super Bowl LVI, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. Then last season, he won the first MVP award of his career, passing for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns.
The 38-year-old Stafford will likely retire, though, in the near future. Simpson is expected to replace him once that happens.
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