NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Even at 38 years old, Matthew Stafford is still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. In fact, he added another trophy to his collection in February, winning his first league MVP award.
Stafford passed New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye after throwing a career-high 46 touchdowns. The 2026 season will be their 18th and with nearly two decades in the league, the Rams appear to be looking to the future after Thursday night’s first round.
The Rams selected former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick, potentially positioning him as Stafford’s successor. The decision sparked strong reactions and garnered a response from Kelly Stafford, the veteran quarterback’s wife.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Alabama’s Ty Simpson celebrates after being selected with the 13th overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on April 23, 2026. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Simpson said Kelly Stafford welcomed him to the team with a message on social media.
“Kelly texted me on Instagram and welcomed me and told me to call her if we needed anything,” Simpson said during her introductory press conference. “But I can’t wait to talk to Matthew. I’m super ecstatic because I just want to pick his brain.”
FALCONS’ MICHAEL PENIX JR SHARES THE CRUCIAL ADVICE KIRK COUSINS GAVE HIM AFTER TAKING STARTING TIME
Simpson was a full-time starter at Alabama, throwing for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2025.
Rams coach Sean McVay dismissed any speculation that Simpson would join the team to compete with Stafford for the starting job.
Matthew Stafford and his wife Kelly celebrate after the Los Angeles Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on January 30, 2022. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
“There were a lot of players we liked, but when you look at it, I think what you liked about the job is…let’s make one thing clear, this is Matthew’s team,” McVay told reporters Thursday night. “You get a chance to be able to address the backup quarterback.”
Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams is on the field before the NFC championship game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, on January 25, 2026. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
Simpson’s parents visited Rams general manager Les Snead during Alabama’s trip to the Los Angeles area for the Rose Bowl in January, NFL Network reported. Simpson’s father, Jason Simpson, is the head football coach at UT Martin.
