The reaction to the Los Angeles Rams taking Ty Simpson at No. 13 is not surprising. A team with a proven quarterback using its first-round pick on a quarterback is bound to raise questions.
This seems very reminiscent of Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love a few years ago. It seems like the Jordan Love experiment has worked out so far.
The idea of drafting Simpson was not about replacing Matthew Stafford tomorrow. It was about making sure Simpson is ready to go when he is asked to take the helm.
Sometimes fans are so focused on now, they forget about the future.
Simpson walks into a situation most young quarterbacks never get. He does not have to save a franchise or start Week 1. He gets to sit, watch and learn from a quarterback who has seen about every coverage, blitz and tough situation the NFL can throw at him. Not many quarterbacks have the opportunity to learn under a top tier veteran like Stafford.
The evolving heir to the throne in Green Bay
Love was drafted while Rodgers was still playing at a high level and the pick was heavily criticized at the time. Rodgers made it clear he did not love the pick.
Love spent multiple seasons learning behind Rodgers before getting his shot, and now he looks like a quarterback who understands how to operate without immediately being thrown to the wolves.
Ironically, Rodgers was in Love’s situation at one point. He sat behind Brett Favre for three seasons with the Packers. Three years of waiting while fans questioned why a talented quarterback was stuck on the bench. When Rodgers finally took over, there was no learning curve. He stepped in like he had been preparing for it the whole time. Since then, he has turned into one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history and has a Super Bowl ring.
Joe Montana had his successor in place
Go back even further and the blueprint looks the same. Steve Young did not walk into a starting role with the San Francisco 49ers. He sat behind Joe Montana, learning from one of the best to ever do it. When his turn came, he was more than prepared and led the 49ers to a Super Bowl victory.
That is the lane the Rams are trying to stay in.
The Rams are building for the future
Drafting Simpson is not a panic move. It is not a signal that Stafford is done. If anything, it says the opposite. The Rams trust that they still have a quarterback who can win games right now, which gives them the luxury to develop the next one the right way. Despite being in the league for over a decade, Stafford just posted his best numbers since being in the NFL in 2025, including 46 touchdown passes and a quarterback rating of 109.2.
The Rams could have easily used the 13th overall pick to draft a player to help an immediate need.
But quarterback is different. It is much wiser to draft the talent available and have them groomed by your starter than frantically search for one while you are desperate.
Simpson might not take a meaningful snap this season. Maybe not next season either. That is kind of the point.
If the Rams are right, he will not just be their next quarterback. He will be a better one because he was not rushed into it.
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