“We tried to keep this under wraps as long as we could,” Simpson told Ian Fitzsimmons of ESPN Radio. “It was something to where I knew they were interested, but they wanted to make it private and didn’t want people to know that they were interested.“

It was there that the former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback finally revealed his private meetings with his new head coach: “So, I had some secret meetings with Coach McVay, and I just was trying to be on script and do what everybody told me and not to tell anybody.”

Eventually, the strategy worked to perfection. Simpson kept things tightly under wraps, and his arrival at the Rams was ultimately finalized, to the satisfaction of both sides. Now, it’s time to repay that trust over the course of the upcoming season.

Was the Rams’ decision the right one?

The Los Angeles Rams selected Ty Simpson as a strategic investment in their post-Matthew Stafford future. While the team remains in “win-now” mode with Stafford as the reigning MVP, his age (38) and history of back injuries forced GM Les Snead to prioritize a long-term successor over immediate depth at other positions.

The Rams chose Simpson specifically for his elite football IQ, pocket mobility, and high-level processing skills, which Sean McVay views as the perfect fit for his complex system. By drafting him now, they ensure Simpson can develop for a year or two behind Stafford—much like the Packers’ model with Jordan Love—rather than being forced to overpay for a veteran or reach for a less-talented prospect once Stafford eventually retires.

The rest of Los Angeles’ Draft picks

The Los Angeles Rams prioritized long-term stability in their 2026 draft class, selecting only five players to focus on key developmental roles. Beyond the strategic pick of Ty Simpson, the Rams added Max Klare (TE, Ohio State) in the second round to bolster their heavy personnel packages and Keagen Trost (OT, Missouri) in the third to provide much-needed insurance for their aging offensive line.

On Day 3, they focused on depth by selecting CJ Daniels (WR, Miami) in the sixth round and Tim Keenan III (DL, Alabama) in the seventh, effectively targeting high-upside prospects to secure the team’s future transition once their current veteran core begins to move on.

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.

McVay admitted he was moody. “That was never my intended way to be able to come off, but sometimes I can be a little grumpy.” McVay also cleared the air saying his relationship with GM Les Snead is great. “This is my buddy right here,” the Rams HC said.

As for why he was moody, McVay said “Well, there were other things that had nothing to do with that, which that’s normal life.” He didn’t say much more than that, but apparently, Ty Simpson was not the reason for his angered mood.

McVay actually spoke well of Ty Simpson

“I’m excited to be able to add Ty. What a blessing it is for him to be able to learn from Matthew and to be able to come into this atmosphere and environment,” McVay said. The head coach did still say that the Rams are Matthew Stafford’s team, and there is no pressure for him to retire.

McVay is a highly emotional person, for good or bad. That’s also what makes him a great leader of men, able to galvanize his troops to get the best out of them on the field. He is one of the best characters in the NFL and actually, Ty Simpson could learn a lot from him.

The Rams could’ve gone all-in, but opted for the future

The Rams were so close to go to a Super Bowl last season, that many expected to target gamechangers to challenge once again for the throne. However, they opted to get an heir to Matthew Stafford.

This also means the Rams think they can challenge for a Super Bowl with their roster right now, without the need of new pieces. They will try to run it back in what could be Stafford’s swan song.

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.

Garoppolo has spent 12 years in the NFL. While many once regarded him as a solid starter, he struggled to consistently meet those expectations and has spent a significant portion of his career as a high-end backup.

When the Rams signed him in 2024, the plan was for him to provide veteran stability behind Matthew Stafford. However, with Garoppolo now contemplating retirement, Los Angeles could be left without an experienced backup—a situation Sean McVay is desperate to avoid.

“You leave the door open,” McVay said on Tuesday about Garoppolo’s future, via Vinny Bonsignore of the California Post. “You don’t want to press. We want to be able to give him his time, and he knows where we stand.”

If Jimmy G doesn’t return, the Rams are in trouble

While Garoppolo’s peak years may be behind him, he remains a highly reliable backup. With Matthew Stafford’s injury history being a constant factor, having a seasoned veteran on the roster is essential for insurance.

As of today, Garoppolo’s return is uncertain. It will be McVay’s job to convince him to stay for one more season while the Rams develop a long-term transition plan at the quarterback position.

Currently, Stetson Bennett is the primary backup on the depth chart. Having not taken a regular-season snap since being drafted in 2023, his lack of experience might force the Rams to either secure Garoppolo’s return or pivot to the free-agent market.

Matthew Stafford’s future beyond 2026

Rumors regarding Matthew Stafford’s retirement were put to rest when he accepted his 2025 NFL MVP trophy and confirmed his return for 2026. While he is currently making “significant progress” on another contract extension, his long-term future remains a topic of discussion.

With Stafford’s tenure eventually nearing its end and Garoppolo’s status in limbo, the Rams face a difficult path to ensuring they have a reliable leader to guide the offense into the next era.

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.

“People make some of the connections with Kirk,” McVay said n PFT Live. “If it doesn’t work out with Jimmy, that’s definitely something that — Kirk is as influential as anybody in helping me get to L.A. in the first place.

“I know he’s got some other options and some other suitors, but Jimmy and Kirk are guys that I’d love to have back with us.”

McVay and Cousins worked together for three seasons with the then-Washington Redskins. During that time, they helped lead the team to an NFC East division title in 2015 under head coach Jay Gruden.

Stafford’s only backup

After several seasons serving as Matthew Stafford’s primary backup, Jimmy Garoppolo entered free agency, leaving his future in the league uncertain. What will Sean McVay do next to cover his star quarterback?

For now, the only player listed in the QB room ready to take the field if needed is Stetson Bennett IV. With plenty of time before the start of a new season, it would make sense for the Los Angeles Rams to add a higher-profile player to also join this roster.

Davante Adams stays with the Rams

Although the Los Angeles Rams had shown interest in A.J. Brown, that would have inevitably required a move involving Davante Adams. McVay ultimately decided to keep one of his primary receivers.

“We have discussions all the time. I wouldn’t say discussed — we really talked about some different avenues of onboarding other players and how it might affect Davante,” the head coach said.

“I’ve talked with Davante about that, and if we felt like it was best for our team, we would’ve done that. But we didn’t think it was best for our team. So, excited about being able to move forward with him.“

What will Jimmy Garoppolo do?

Garoppolo is expected to seek a deal worth roughly $3 million annually, similar to the one-year, $3.005 million contract he played under last season. Having attempted zero passes during the 2025 regular season, he will likely have to settle for a high-end backup position rather than a guaranteed QB1 slot on the open market.

“…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.

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Rams are promoting Nate Scheelhaase to become Sean McVay’s offensive coordinator. Scheelhaase was the pass-game coordinator, but now he will replace Mike LaFleur, who became the Cardinals head coach.

The Rams also promoted quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone by giving him a co-offensive coordinator title. Still, it’s worth noting it’s head coach Sean McVay the one who really runs the offense. However, Scheelhaase and Ragone will help game-planning with McVay.

Scheelhaase was a top-tier name during the coaching carousel this year

Scheelhaase was a pass-game coordinator, but he almost leapfrogged stages, as he had five different head coaching interviews this offseason. In the end, he will stay on the Rams, but he will get more looks in one year, most likely.

Scheelhaase is seen as an offensive genius, impressing with his mind and ability to direct an offense since his college career. He was a quarterback at Illinois, and he called plays at the line of scrimmage, a constant audible.

The Rams will stay as a powerhouse

By retaining defensive coordinator Chris Shula, the Rams defense will stay as an elite unit. By having McVay, with the returning Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams as wideouts, and pretty much all the same roster, the Rams will be a Super Bowl contender.

McVay spoke to Gary Klein of the L.A. Times. He said, “That’s the start to everything, is your quarterback position. And to be able to have a guy that’s playing as good as he’s ever played — and it’s sustainable,” McVay honestly stated. “You start all over, but man, when he says he’s in, that gives you a lot of confidence and excitement of how we can move forward.”

McVay also spoke on the fact that Stafford won the MVP. “So, really happy for him. He’s the most humble superstar I’ve ever been around, and it’s really cool. So if we can’t be playing, this is a good consolation process.” McVay is a massive fan of Stafford and feels the team can win it all with him under center.

Stafford was on a whole other level this season

Almost solidifying himself as a Hall of Famer by winning the MVP, the fact is that Stafford was incredibly effective in 2025. Stafford completed 65% of his passes for a league-leading 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns. He also had a 109.2 passer rating. Stafford was genuinely outstanding.

Much was said about the future of Stafford. In the last offseason, Stafford suffered a serious back injury and that put him in jeopardy and his career was put into questioned. However, the fact is he not only recovered, but deliver his best season ever.

McVay is going all in with expectations

A while back, Sean McVay also said what he expected the team to do with Davante Adams. One thing is for sure, McVay hates to lose. He has the Rams as a top-tier team and the fact is he might be right.

The offense is great and experienced, while the defense is elite and young. Hence, the Rams should definitely be confident going back as a contender to win it all. Also, having McVay as the head coach of course helps out.