Prior to the NFL Draft, Jimmy Garoppolo surprised the Rams by considering retirement. This uncertainty forced Los Angeles to adjust their draft strategy, leading them to select Ty Simpson at No. 13 overall to secure the quarterback room.

With Simpson’s arrival, many wondered if he would eventually bench Stafford. However, while the veteran is open to mentoring the former Alabama standout, McVay has emphasized that Stafford is the starter for the foreseeable future—not just for one year.

“He couldn’t be more of a stud,” McVay said about Stafford. “When you’re an elite competitor the way he is, he responded exactly the way I would want to. He’s going to put his arm around this guy. . . . He’s like, ‘I understand it.’ He’s earned the right to be year to year, and if he tells me he wants to play three more years, no one would be more excited about that than me.”

The Rams are preparing for the future

Although Sean McVay stated that Simpson will have to compete for the backup role, the front office clearly views Ty as the future of the franchise. Investing a top-15 pick in a quarterback is a move intended for more than just finding an elite backup.

The Rams are aware that Simpson—who had a limited number of college starts—needs a mentor to develop properly. That mentor is Matthew Stafford, a future Hall of Famer whose guidance could lead the young signal-caller to success.

Stetson Bennett IV remains the other quarterback on the roster. However, he has not seen significant action since arriving in 2023, as the Rams previously preferred Jimmy Garoppolo in the primary backup role.

One last ride for Matthew Stafford… or not?

Sean McVay recently remarked that he would love to have Matthew Stafford for “three or more years,” a statement that suggests Simpson may have to wait his turn. Ultimately, the timeline depends on the veteran’s eventual decision to retire.

Stafford, who is coming off a 2025 NFL MVP season, has already won a Super Bowl and secured his Hall of Fame legacy. Nevertheless, his desire to win more—combined with the Rams’ competitive roster—suggests he may stay on the field longer than many originally expected.

When asked if Simpson was the first target, McVay said, “Let’s make one thing clear, this is Matthew’s [Stafford] team. You get a chance to be able to address the backup quarterback. We’ve got Stetson.”

Then he was asked about the expectations, and McVay said “we’ll see, he’s got to compete with Stetson [Bennett].“ Hence, the Rams head coach let everyone know Simpson is not even guaranteed to be the QB2 behind Stafford. That’s awfully concerning for such a high pick in the draft.

Stetson Bennett’s status with the Rams

Bennett had two runs at the National Championship during his Georgia days and won both affairs. He is one of the most decorated college quarterbacks of all time. However, he has never had a good NFL stock. He was picked 128th in the 2023 NFL Draft.

However, Bennett has only played in preseason games for the Rams. However, it seems like he won’t be relegated unless Ty Simpson wins that QB2 battle in preseason. Now, it’s up to the Alabama product to beat the Georgia alumn to prove he is worth his draft pick.

If he beats Bennett, it’s a best-case scenario for Simpson

If Simpson gets over the hurdle of Bennett, this could be the best thing that happens to him. Getting to learn from a future Hall of Famer like Matthew Stafford on a prolific scheme like Sean McVay’s is an incredible setting for a guy like Simpson.

Following Jimmy Garoppolo’s decision to retire, the Rams needed to add a quarterback to back up Matthew Stafford, who will leave football soon. Consequently, they selected former Alabama standout Ty Simpson in the 2026 NFL Draft.

With Simpson’s arrival, Matthew Stafford remains the QB1 on the depth chart. Simpson is now set to compete against Stetson Bennett IV for the backup role in the upcoming season.

By drafting Ty Simpson at No. 13 overall, the Rams have officially launched their “life after Stafford” plan. This selection is a major pivot for a team that hasn’t used a first-round pick on a quarterback since Jared Goff in 2016.

The Rams made a smart, albeit risky, selection

While Ty Simpson believed he might have slipped to Day 2, the Rams moved to ensure he was a Day 1 pick. His arrival makes sense, yet there are lingering doubts about whether he was worthy of a first-round selection.

According to scouts, Simpson’s stature and lack of starting experience in college raised concerns about his immediate NFL readiness. Nevertheless, the Rams believe that learning behind Matthew Stafford will give him the necessary time to develop before the veteran eventually retires.

This move also significantly impacts Stetson Bennett IV. Although he was the team’s fourth-round pick in 2023, the selection of Simpson suggests the club no longer views Bennett as the franchise’s future.

When will Matthew Stafford retire?

Following Simpson’s selection, the unavoidable question is: when will Matthew Stafford retire? While he remains an elite, reigning MVP quarterback, his history of injuries may lead him to consider an earlier retirement.

As of today, Stafford fully intends to play the 2026 season. Reports suggest he is open to mentoring Simpson for at least one year, potentially retiring after the upcoming campaign concludes.

“The Vikings sure look like they’ve moved on from the former 10th overall pick (2024) by signing Kyler Murray. Given Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell’s success rate with QBs, maybe that’s a red flag for the rest of the NFL,” Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports wrote.

“But McCarthy is still young and has only 10 games of experience. He could benefit from learning under McVay on a loaded offensive team. And not only do the Rams need to start thinking about who their quarterback will be after 38-year-old Matthew Stafford is done, they also have to be prepared if he breaks down this season. Right now their backup is Stetson Bennett. McCarthy would at least be an upgrade over that. And that’s important for an expected Super Bowl contender.”

In addition to Murray, O’Connell has Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer on his depth chart. Will McCarthy ultimately find his way to Sean McVay’s team?

Between injuries and strong performances

After missing his entire 2024 rookie year due to meniscus surgery, J.J. McCarthy had a turbulent first season on the field in 2025. He appeared in 10 games, completing 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.

His campaign was significantly hampered by health issues, including an ankle injury that sidelined him from Week 3 through Week 8, a concussion that forced him to miss Week 13, and a hand injury that kept him out of Week 17. Despite showing flashes of potential, McCarthy finished the season with a 72.6 passer rating as he adjusted to the physical demands of the NFL.

Search for Garoppolo or new talent?

The Los Angeles Rams are currently seeking for a back up for Matthew Stafford. While Jimmy Garoppolo is a free agent after his one-year deal expired, head coach Sean McVay recently confirmed the team is interested in bringing him back or potentially signing other QB to bolster the room.

By targeting established starters rather than a developmental prospect, the Rams are doubling down on their “win-now” window following Stafford’s standout 2025 MVP campaign.

Last offseason, Stafford barely threw or had any reps in training camp. This was also because the quarterback was dealing with a tough back injury. However, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN, this might change in this offseason.

The reason is simple: the Rams are yet to establish who will be their QB2. Per head coach Sean McVay, it’s “less likely than likely” that Jimmy Garoppolo comes back to the roster. Also, Kirk Cousins, who was on the Rams’ radar, signed for the Raiders.

Sean McVay is not entertaining a life without Stafford, though the team is

McVay recently spoke to the press, and he was asked if he thinks about life once Stafford is gone. He responded “I don’t think about that ever.” While he said that jokingly, he then said the team as a whole thinks of life without Stafford in the “short and long term.”

McVay and Stafford have been one of the best offensive duos in the NFL. The head coach knows how to design plays for the quarterback, and Stafford knows how to deliver on the field.

The Rams need Stafford to succeed

Stafford is 38 years old, so the end is near. However, he just won MVP so the level is still there. Stafford led the NFL in passing yards with 4,707 and in passing touchdowns with 46. He also had a 109.2 passer rating.

With Stafford, who has been on the team since 2021, the Rams have won a Super Bowl, then have gone to the Wild Card (2023), Divisional (2024), and lost the Conference Championship last season. They’ve been perennial contenders in the NFC.

Los Angeles have to face the reality that, sooner or later, the quarterback’s playing career would come to an end. McVay addressed that for NBC. “I don’t think about that, ever,” McVay joked. Stafford arguably had the best season of his career in 2025, winning his first MVP award while leading the Rams to the NFC Championship Game.

“No, you think about it short and long term. And here’s the thing, he’s earned the right to be on a year-to-year basis. If he told me that he wanted to play a couple more years, I’d believe him. If he told me it’s one more year, he’s earned that right. So, we understand that. I do think he’s in a situation where it wouldn’t shock me if he played more than one year. But we also have to be prepared, that if this is the last year, what does that look like?”

How they prepare in case of Stafford’s absence

Jimmy Garoppolo may have competition for the backup role as McVay admitted interest in Kirk Cousins. However, neither Garoppolo nor Cousins appear to be a long-term solution. While Stetson Bennett remains on the roster entering the final year of his rookie deal, he has yet to play in a regular-season game.

For now, any long-term successor at quarterback would have to come from outside the organization. As for the present, while Stafford and the Rams had a lengthy contract negotiation last year, and the quarterback was allowed to meet with other teams before ultimately returning to Los Angeles, things were much smoother in that regard in 2026.

“We’ve had a lot of good discussions and dialogue,” McVay said. “And you know what, it’s really along the lines of, what do you and Kelly Stafford really want? Does that look like, hey, are we going to keep that kind of year in place? Do we do anything additional? Or do we put two years in place? So, he’s working through that. But it’s been a lot smoother than last year, to say the least.”

Stafford’s numbers

Stafford, who turned 38 in February, led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns in 2025, winning his first MVP award. He was also named AP first team All-Pro for the first time.

“The Rams don’t seem to be in any rush to sign Garoppolo (or another backup quarterback) at the moment, which begs the question of what their plan is,” Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire said.

“Do they like Stetson Bennett enough to make him the QB2 behind Stafford? Do they plan to draft someone to compete for the job with Bennett? Are they waiting for Garoppolo’s price to come down?”

Garoppolo is one of the quarterbacks still without a team in free agency. With proven experience in a role behind Stafford, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to see him once again under Sean McVay’s command.

Garoppolo already knows the Rams system

Throughout the 2025 season, Jimmy Garoppolo served as a high-value backup for the Rams, appearing in three games and making one notable start in the regular-season finale. In that Week 18 matchup against the Seahawks, he proved his efficiency by completing 27 of 41 passes for 334 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Having spent the last two years under Sean McVay, Garoppolo has mastered the system’s complexities, with McVay praising his pro demeanor and ability to keep the offense running smoothly during training camp while Matthew Stafford was sidelined. His deep familiarity with the playbook and the coaching staff’s trust made him a key stabilizer for the locker room as they move into 2026.

Stafford’s only backup, for now

Stetson Bennett IV remains with the Los Angeles Rams as he prepares for the 2026 season. After spending his 2023 rookie year on the reserve list, he showed significant flashes of his potential during the 2025 preseason, where he tied for the league lead with 5 passing touchdowns and threw for 512 yards with a 105.7 passer rating.

“…I know it’s the end goal bringing me in is the Lombardi Trophy, so everything we do to bring a ring back to this city is what I’m going to do,” the cornerback revealed via nbcsports.com.

His arrival to Los Angeles came at a very high cost in terms of the four draft picks that the Rams decided to offer Kansas City in return. It will ultimately be a matter of seeing at the end of the next NFL season whether it was worth it.

McDuffie’s championship rings

McDuffie played a pivotal role in the Chiefs’ back-to-back championships, securing titles in Super Bowls LVII and LVIII. As a shutdown corner, he combined elite coverage with high-impact production, recording 13 total tackles and a forced fumble across his first two Super Bowl appearances.

His ability to neutralize top receivers and provide versatility in the secondary made him an indispensable asset during Kansas City’s historic championship run alongside stars such as Patrick Mahomes.

The Rams’ last Super Bowl title

Sean McVay‘s Rams secured their latest NFL title with a thrilling 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. Playing at their home, SoFi Stadium, the Rams relied on a late-game connection between Matthew Stafford and MVP Cooper Kupp, who caught the game-winning touchdown with just 1:25 remaining.

Kupp finished the night with 8 receptions for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns, while the defense, led by Aaron Donald’s two sacks, held firm to clinch the franchise’s second Super Bowl trophy.

McDuffie’s versatility

Although Trent McDuffie is considered one of the best at his position in the league, the former Chiefs player sent a clear message to his new coach regarding his role on the field.

“It don’t matter where you put me,” he said. “I’ll play safety. I’ll put my hand in the dirt. Like, I hope I don’t have to. But, really, I’m just out here wanting to play ball, you know. And no matter where you put me, I’m going to work, day in and day out, to make sure that I do my job at a very high level, and that’s the guy you’re getting.”

Will the Rams add more reinforcements?

Once the news broke that the Philadelphia Eagles indicated that trading AJ Brown seemed inevitable, the Los Angeles Rams emerged as one of the main contenders.

Agreeing to bring in the wide receiver could force the franchise to make additional moves, given that they also have stars of the caliber of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Although negotiations are reportedly on pause, Brown’s arrival to the West Coast could provide a significant boost to Stafford’s offense.

Jimmy Garoppolo served as Stafford’s primary backup until just a few weeks ago, and in a matter of days, he will become a free agent. Will the Rams look for a new face at the position? Judging by the head coach’s remarks, it would appear not.

“I love Jimmy. I would absolutely want him back. I did see those reports too on [Cardinals coach] Mike [LaFleur] trying to steal our guy, but no, Jimmy’s a really good player and so we would love him back,” McVay said to the press about Garoppolo.

“I’m sure he’ll have multiple opportunities and then we’ll see where we’re at. He’s been tremendous for the last couple of years. We’ve loved everything he’s about. You guys know how I feel about him when we’ve spoken about him and we would love him back.

“I’m also not naive to the fact that he’ll probably have a lot of opportunities and if those are things that he wants to pursue that give him a chance to play, I would understand that.”

Potential landing spots for Garoppolo

Several teams are searching for an experienced quarterback for next season, and Garoppolo is an interesting name to fill that role. With plenty of experience that includes a Super Bowl and an NFC Championship Game appearance as the San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback, he could provide insurance for teams needing reliable depth at the position.

His short-term options could be multiple: restructure his contract with the Los Angeles Rams and continue as Matthew Stafford’s backup, or seek a new destination. The Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets are among the teams that could be in the market for a quarterback with credentials, and Garoppolo could comfortably fit into their schemes.

Despite Stafford throwing for 374 yards and three touchdowns, the Rams lost 27-31 against Seattle. Jared Verse, who is an outstanding linebacker for the Rams, appeared on The Pivot podcast. He revealed that the defense had no answers for the Seahawks offense.

“When we started having trouble, we didn’t know what to do. Like some of us on the defense, some, you know, I’m going to take full blame, too,” Verse said. “Like, there were a couple of times I’m like, but they’re running the other way. Like, I don’t know what to do. I can’t chase. Like I’m not that fast. I can’t chase him on the backside. What do I do? So when we had some troubles, we just kind of like mentally shut down.”

The Rams defense just won one of three battles against Seattle

Rams and Seahawks played three times this season. The regular season series saw them divide wins, but the NFC Championship was won by Seattle too. However, the one that the Rams won was thanks to their defense, not Stafford.

In Week 11, the Rams were able to intercept Sam Darnold on four occasions. However, after that, the Seahawks offense adjusted and became unpredictable for the Rams. However, Verse also pointed out that it affected the defense mentally on how to approach the plays.

The Rams might catch a break for next season

The Rams will have a shot at revenge next season. In fact, they’ll have two, as they are divisional rivals. However, the Seahawks might need to adjust more, since Klint Kubiak left his offensive coordinator job to become the Raiders’ head coach. Now, the Seahawks’ offense will enter a whole new style and playbook.

This might give the Rams defense a better outlook for 2026. They don’t have to deal with Kubiak no more. That might help Rams defensive coordinator Chirs Shula gameplan against the Seahawks.

With this backdrop, the Rams are reportedly strategizing for next season, focusing on potential roster additions and player contract negotiations. Notably, Stafford’s contract is under consideration and may undergo changes, as reported by NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

“He is fully healthy this offseason. But there’s still a bit of a question… He is due $41 million this year. I would be surprised, based on what I know, if Stafford played for that. There was a contract discussion last year that kept Stafford in LA. Expect another one for the Rams and a potential raise for their MVP,” mentioned Rapoport during the Super Bowl pregame on NFL Gameday.

Rapoport’s insights into Stafford’s scenario come after the positive news of his MVP award, highlighting his significance to the Los Angeles franchise as the Rams aim to rebound next season.

Stafford’s standout stats in 2025

Stafford’s exceptional regular-season performance bolstered the Rams’ prospects of claiming the NFC title, but the Seahawks ultimately emerged victorious. Here are his standout statistics from the regular season:

• Passing Yards: 4,707
• Passing Touchdowns: 46
• Interceptions: 8
• Completion Percentage: 65.0%
• Passer Rating: 109.2
• Games Played: 17

With these impressive numbers, an adjustment in Stafford’s contract for next season seems almost inevitable. There’s considerable anticipation surrounding the Rams’ forthcoming decisions regarding Stafford and the rest of the roster for the upcoming season.