Ty Simpson: Why He’s Hunting Rams’ QB Pressure, Not Hiding
Rams Rookie Quarterback Ty Simpson Set for NFL Preseason Debut
The Big News
The Los Angeles Rams surprised everyone when they picked Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Now, the 23-year-old quarterback from Alabama is about to play in his first-ever NFL game — a preseason matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Game Details: Saturday, 1:00 PM PDT on CBS
Who Is Ty Simpson?
Think of Simpson like a highly-touted rookie who skipped a few grades. Here’s the quick version:
- College: University of Alabama
- Games started in college: Only 15 (that’s not many for a top draft pick!)
- Draft position: 13th overall — a "lottery ticket" pick
- Role: The heir apparent to superstar quarterback Matthew Stafford
ELI5: Imagine being picked to eventually take over for the team captain, but you’ve only been the starter for about half a season in college. That’s a lot of pressure!
The Road to Saturday
Offseason & Training Camp Journey
| Phase | What Happened |
|---|---|
| Offseason workouts | Started learning the playbook, working with coaches |
| Training camp (2 weeks) | Started slow, then broke through — began completing tough passes across the middle |
| Joint practice vs. Cowboys | Threw a touchdown pass in the red zone (the critical scoring area) |
| Now | First real game — with actual tackling! |
What the Teammates & Coaches See
"His arm and the confidence that he’s throwing the ball with has definitely grown a ton… I think he’s feeling more comfortable in the pocket, understanding and seeing more guys run routes."
— Puka Nacua, Star Wide Receiver"You’ve certainly seen him go and make some throws and go and compete in a really cool way."
— Nate Scheelhaase, Offensive Coordinator
What Makes This Game Different?
Practice vs. Real Game
| Practice | Preseason Game |
|---|---|
| No tackling allowed | Full contact — defenders WILL hit you |
| Controlled environment | Live speed, real pressure |
| Scripted situations | Anything can happen |
Simpson calls it: "A whole different lifestyle."
The Supporting Cast
Who’s Playing, Who’s Sitting
PLAYING:
- Ty Simpson (Rookie QB) — gets his first NFL snaps
- Stetson Bennett (4th-year QB) — starts the game, 7th preseason start
- Rookie teammates: Max Klare (TE), Keagan Trost (OL), CJ Daniels (WR), Tim Keenan (DL)
SITTING OUT (Coach McVay’s rule: stars don’t play preseason):
- Matthew Stafford (Starting QB)
- Puka Nacua (Star WR)
- Davante Adams (Star WR)
- Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield (WRs)
Coach McVay’s Goal: See how Bennett and Simpson manage the offense — before and after the snap — and whether they can use their legs when the pocket collapses.
The Veteran Guidance
Simpson isn’t alone. He’s got a quarterback room full of teachers:
- Matthew Stafford — The franchise QB, Super Bowl winner
- Stetson Bennett — Two-time national champ at Georgia
- Dave Ragone — Quarterbacks coach
The Best Advice Simpson Got
"Just go let it rip. It’s nothing that you haven’t done before."
— Matthew Stafford
Simple. Direct. Veteran wisdom.
Simpson’s Mindset
Despite the hype and pressure (the Rams are Super Bowl favorites), Simpson says he doesn’t feel the weight — at least not outwardly.
His Approach:
- Stay present — One day at a time
- Count blessings — "I’m the No. 13 pick… that’s a blessing"
- Maximize every rep — Every practice, every snap matters
- Accept mistakes — "There are going to be things I mess up on… I’ll learn and move on"
What to Watch For Saturday
Key Things to Track
| Category | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Poise under pressure | Does he stay calm when rushers come? |
| Decision-making | Good throws vs. forced throws? |
| Mobility | Can he escape the pocket and make plays? |
| Command of offense | Communication, snap count, audibles? |
| First contact | How does he handle his first NFL hit? |
Summary
- Ty Simpson, 13th overall pick, makes his NFL preseason debut Saturday vs. Chiefs
- He’s the future behind Matthew Stafford, but only started 15 college games
- Showed steady improvement through offseason, camp, and joint practices
- Teammates and coaches see growing confidence and arm talent
- First real test: Live contact, game speed, no script
- Veteran mentors (Stafford, Bennett, Ragone) guiding him
- Mindset: Present, grateful, ready to learn from mistakes
Bottom line: This isn’t about winning the preseason game. It’s about Simpson’s first step on a long journey to potentially leading a Super Bowl contender.
FAQ
Why did the Rams draft a QB so high if they have Matthew Stafford?
A: Stafford is 37 years old. Simpson is the succession plan — the "quarterback of the future" they can develop slowly behind a legend.
What’s the difference between preseason and regular season?
A: Preseason games don’t count for standings. Coaches use them to evaluate backups and rookies. Starters barely play. Regular season games count for real — playoffs, records, championships.
Who is Stetson Bennett and why is he starting?
A: Bennett is a 4th-year pro who won two national titles at Georgia. He’s the current backup to Stafford. This is his best chance yet to prove he can be a reliable NFL #2.
Will Simpson start the regular season?
A: Almost certainly not. Stafford is the starter. Simpson will likely be the #3 quarterback (emergency backup) and develop on the practice squad or as inactive game-day QB.
What does "let it rip" mean?
A: It’s football slang for "throw it with confidence, don’t hesitate, trust your arm." Stafford was telling Simpson: You know how to play. Just play.