Todd McShay Sees Rams as Ideal NFL Draft Landing Spot for Ty Simpson

ESPN analyst believes former Alabama QB could thrive as Stafford's backup in Los Angeles

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Former ESPN analyst Todd McShay has projected that former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson could be an ideal fit for the Los Angeles Rams in the 2026 NFL Draft, seeing him as a potential successor to 38-year-old starter Matthew Stafford. McShay believes Simpson's football IQ and coaching pedigree make him a good fit to learn under Rams head coach Sean McVay's tutelage for a year before potentially taking over the starting job.

Why it matters

The Rams are looking to maintain their status as Super Bowl contenders, and adding a talented young quarterback like Simpson to develop behind the veteran Stafford could be a smart long-term move. Simpson's up-and-down 2025 season at Alabama raised some questions, but McShay believes the former Crimson Tide signal-caller has the potential to thrive in the right situation.

The details

McShay explained his reasoning for mocking Simpson to the Rams with the 13th overall pick, noting that Simpson's football intelligence and coaching background could make him an ideal fit to learn under Sean McVay's tutelage for a year before potentially taking over as the Rams' starting quarterback. Despite some struggles late in the 2025 season, McShay believes Simpson showed flashes of being "the best quarterback in college football" earlier in the year.

  • Simpson declared for the 2026 NFL Draft as an underclassman after his junior season at Alabama.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April.

The players

Ty Simpson

A former Alabama quarterback who is entering the 2026 NFL Draft after an up-and-down junior season with the Crimson Tide.

Matthew Stafford

The 38-year-old veteran quarterback of the Los Angeles Rams, who is coming off a 2025 season in which he was named NFL MVP.

Sean McVay

The head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, known for his innovative offensive mind and ability to develop young quarterbacks.

Todd McShay

A former ESPN analyst who has long been a proponent of Ty Simpson and believes he could be an ideal fit with the Rams.

Brent Venables

The defensive-minded head coach of Oklahoma, whose team was able to expose some of Simpson's weaknesses late in the 2025 season.

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What they’re saying

“I think with (Rams head coach Sean) McVay, and one year behind Stafford let's say, in that offensive system and with a coach's mind, I think that could work.”

— Todd McShay, ESPN Analyst (The Herd with Colin Cowherd)

“I'm telling you, this guy has something in him – a coach's son, his dad has been a lifelong coach, 18 years he's been the head coach at Middle Tennessee State. He's different, he's different than some of those other immature guys that have come out with fewer than 20 starts.”

— Todd McShay, ESPN Analyst (The Herd with Colin Cowherd)

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in April, where the Rams will have the opportunity to potentially select Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick if they believe he can develop into the team's future starting quarterback.

The takeaway

The Rams' decision to potentially draft Ty Simpson reflects the team's desire to maintain their status as Super Bowl contenders by finding a long-term successor to veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. Simpson's football intelligence and coaching pedigree make him an intriguing prospect, but his up-and-down 2025 season at Alabama will likely lead to scrutiny during the pre-draft process.