Bold Ty Simpson pick leaves Rams with an obvious Jimmy Garoppolo decision

The 2026 NFL Draft is underway, and there should be no doubt that Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead is large and in charge. The team needs immediate playmakers. After all, this team has made no bones about it. Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford is running out of time, and head coach Sean McVay wants to place another Super Bowl ring on his finger before that happens.

The Los Angeles Rams had been linked to Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson numerous times. If you followed the bread crumbs left by ESPN's NFL analyst Louis Riddick, you had to expect something like this might happen. If you followed the stern warning shared by NFL insider Adam Schefter, you knew that LA had surrendered its opportunity to select Simpson at the end of Round 1.

Shocked? You shouldn't be. We cited Ty Simpson as the hottest option for LA in Round 1. The team had failed to add a bona fide successor for veteran Matthew Stafford for years. That has ended, and the arrival of Simpson to the roster fills a glaring need in 2027. Ty Simpson is the only quarterback about to be under contract at the end of this season.

LA Rams selection at 13 overall sets stage for the entire draft

The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2026 NFL Draft like a bride. General manager Les Snead had something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. Need a translator?

• Something old: Selecting Aaron Donald with the 13th overall pick in 2017
• Something new: Picking in Round 1 for only the second time in Sean McVay's tenure
• Something borrowed: LA used the 13th pick, originally held by the Atlanta Falcons
• Something blue: Los Angeles will put their new rookie into Royal Blue

And so it goes. There is a bit of excitement over this selection that comes as no surprise. But there is a bit of disappointment as well. Many fans understand that Simpson will not see any action in 2026, and that bodes well for his future NFL career. But the reality is, if Los Angeles loves the guy, there was no reason NOT to select him here.

LA had few options available. The risk of Jimmy Garoppolo choosing retirement forced the team's hand. And now, it's unlikely that Jimmy G will be back to babysit his eventual replacement.

Legendary Rams quarterback claims that Ty Simpson is a "perfect fit" for this offense. And by sitting on the bench for a year, he can develop organically. LA has a coaching staff built to coach up a rookie quarterback. Now they will get their chance.

Head coach Sean McVay gets his future franchise quarterback. Now, fans must get used to the idea. As always, thanks for reading.

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