Rams may be nearing time to sit Matthew Stafford and give Ty Simpson a shot

If someone told you that Matthew Stafford would lead the NFL in passing yards after six games, you might have expected the Los Angeles Rams to be undefeated. But in one of the league's most confusing and ironic openings, they have won only two of those six contests.

Worse still, the team is riddled with injuries.

By some twist of fate, the 2026 iteration of the team is following in its 2022 footsteps. Injuries and letdowns have been plentiful. In 2022, Stafford only suited up for nine games. Veteran Baker Mayfield saw plenty of playing time that season.

While the Rams are unlikely to sign an experienced QB, they could be nearing a decision point. Why not promote some young players not yet involved much so far? And yes, that includes giving rookie quarterback Ty Simpson a shot.

Simpson is among a 2026 draft class yet to make any impact on the team's fortunes this season.

Rams would be wise to consider giving Simpson playing time

Is this truly Stafford's last hurrah? Like it or not, the Rams' insistence on committing almost exclusively to seasoned veterans has contributed to the wave of injuries. Some positions are simply too demanding to limit the rotations. Other positions require rotation as a future-looking plan to develop young players for larger roles.

So far, LA has abandoned those basic principles.

If things don't turn around soon, the most logical remedy would be to give forgotten players some playing time. For Simpson, a little 2026 experience would go a long way toward properly setting expectations for the next four or five seasons. Setting expectations has certainly been a troubling area this year.

Sometimes, we don't get the outcomes we want. For Stafford, one more Super Bowl ring would have been fantastic. But the Rams' injury turnstile has forced the team to reinvent itself each week.

Yes, Stafford has thrown for 1,794 passing yards in only six games. But he's hurled 249 passes, more than any other quarterback. He's averaging more than 41 passes in every game. For comparison, last season he averaged just over 35 attempts.

Los Angeles is addicted to passing. And defenses have noticed. That's not good for game planning. Opponents know well in advance that they can commit to defending the pass almost exclusively.

Rams running back Kyren Williams has noticed the trend as well.

While not the first choice, a reset could certainly make sense. In 2022, Mayfield used his Rams experience to emerge as a dangerous quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Simpson could use 2026 playing time as a springboard to become a bona fide starter in the future.

Let's face it, what do the Horns have to lose?

As always, thanks for reading.

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