Ty Simpson’s Secret Weapon: How Studying Matthew Stafford and the Rams Offense at Alabama Prepared Him for the NFL Draft

The NFL Draft is often a guessing game. Teams fall in love with arm strength, 40-yard dash times, and highlight-reel throws. But every once in a while, a prospect emerges who has already done the homework before the test. That is precisely the story of Ty Simpson, the Alabama quarterback selected 13th overall by the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night.

The pick raised eyebrows. The Rams, led by future Hall of Famer Matthew Stafford, are in win-now mode. Why draft a quarterback in the first round? The answer is simple: succession planning. And according to those who know him best, Simpson is not just a raw talent—he is a student of the game who has been preparing for this exact moment for years.

In fact, Alabama Crimson Tide beat writer Nick Kelly revealed a fascinating detail: Simpson reportedly studied “a ton” of the Rams offense and Matthew Stafford during the 2025 offseason while still in college. That research is now paying off in a very literal sense. He is not walking into a new system cold. He is walking into a system he has already dissected from afar.

The Preparation That Set Ty Simpson Apart

When you are the son of a coach, football is not just a sport—it is a language. Ty Simpson’s father, Jason Simpson, is the head coach at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Growing up in that environment, Ty learned early that the game is won in the film room as much as on the field.

That blue-collar, cerebral approach is what made him stand out to Rams general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay. While other quarterbacks were focusing solely on their own college playbooks, Simpson was expanding his horizons. He wanted to understand the NFL’s most complex offensive schemes before he ever stepped foot in a pro facility.

According to Kelly, Simpson’s deep dive into the Rams’ system was not casual. It was methodical. He watched hours of Stafford’s pre-snap reads, his footwork in the pocket, and his ability to manipulate safeties with his eyes. Simpson treated Stafford like a remote mentor, absorbing the nuances of a scheme that relies on precision, timing, and football IQ.

Key factors in Simpson’s preparation:

• He studied Rams game tape from multiple seasons, not just the Super Bowl year.
• He focused on Stafford’s decision-making under pressure, particularly in third-down situations.
• He analyzed McVay’s motion-heavy offense and how Stafford adjusted to defensive looks.
• He took detailed notes on route combinations and protection schemes.

This level of self-directed learning is rare for a college quarterback. It signals a player who is not just talented, but obsessed with mastering the craft. For the Rams, that is exactly the kind of mindset they want in a future franchise quarterback.

Why the Rams Saw a Perfect Successor to Matthew Stafford

Let’s be clear: Matthew Stafford is still the starter. He is coming off a 2024 season where he proved he can still sling it with the best of them. But the Rams have been burned before by not having a plan for the future. The post-Stafford era was always going to come, and the franchise wanted to control the timeline.

By drafting Simpson, the Rams are executing a seamless succession plan. They are not waiting until Stafford retires to panic. They are bringing in a player who already understands the system, the terminology, and the expectations. This is not a project. This is a polished student who can sit, learn, and eventually take the reins without a massive drop-off.

Simpson’s football intelligence is his greatest asset. He processes information quickly, reads defenses pre-snap, and rarely makes the same mistake twice. Those are traits that translate directly to McVay’s offense, which demands a quarterback who can handle audibles and adjustments on the fly.

Moreover, Simpson’s work ethic is legendary. Teammates at Alabama described him as the first one in the building and the last one to leave. He was known for organizing extra film sessions with receivers during the offseason. That self-starting mentality is exactly what you want in a player who will eventually replace a legend like Stafford.

Why this pick makes sense for both sides:

• Simpson gets to learn from a Super Bowl-winning quarterback and a genius offensive mind.
• The Rams get a young, cheap, and highly prepared backup who can start in 2026 or 2027.
• Stafford gets a mentee who respects his game and won’t rush for the starting job.
• The franchise avoids a painful rebuild by having a replacement already in the pipeline.

This is not a gamble. It is a calculated investment in continuity.

Expert Analysis: What Simpson Brings to the Rams’ Locker Room

Let’s dive into the tape. Ty Simpson is not the biggest quarterback (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) and he does not have the strongest arm in the class. But what he lacks in physical tools, he makes up for in anticipation and accuracy. He throws receivers open, trusts his protection, and delivers the ball on time. In McVay’s system, timing is everything.

One of the most impressive aspects of Simpson’s game is his ability to handle pressure. At Alabama, he faced elite SEC defenses and rarely flinched. He has a calm demeanor in the pocket, keeps his eyes downfield, and is willing to take a hit to complete a pass. That toughness will endear him to Rams fans immediately.

Additionally, Simpson is a capable runner. He is not Lamar Jackson, but he has enough mobility to extend plays and pick up first downs with his legs. This adds a layer of unpredictability to the offense, especially if McVay decides to design some read-option packages for him in spot duty.

However, the real value is in the classroom. Simpson already knows the Rams’ offense. He studied it. He lived it. He can walk into a meeting with McVay and hold a conversation about protection adjustments that would take most rookies months to learn. That is the difference between a first-round pick and a developmental project.

Prediction for Simpson’s rookie season:

• He will serve as the primary backup, seeing limited action in mop-up duty or if Stafford misses a game.
• He will earn the trust of the coaching staff through film study and practice habits.
• By midseason, he will be running the scout team with authority, helping the defense prepare for opponents.
• He will not start a game in 2025 unless absolutely necessary, but he will be ready if called upon.

The Bigger Picture: A Blueprint for NFL Succession

The Rams are doing something that few franchises have the courage to do: planning for the future while still competing in the present. It is a delicate balance. You do not want to draft a quarterback too early and create tension in the locker room. But you also cannot afford to wait until your Hall of Fame quarterback retires and then scramble for a replacement.

Look at the Green Bay Packers. They drafted Jordan Love while Aaron Rodgers was still playing at an MVP level. It was awkward at times, but it resulted in a smooth transition. The Rams are hoping for a similar outcome with Simpson and Stafford.

What makes this situation unique is the level of preparation Simpson already possesses. He did not just study Stafford’s tape—he studied the entire Rams ecosystem. He knows the route trees, the blocking schemes, and the audibles. He is essentially a rookie with a graduate degree in McVay’s offense.

Will it work? Time will tell. The NFL is unforgiving, and even the most prepared rookies can fail. But if Simpson’s dedication and intelligence are any indication, the Rams have found their next quarterback. He is not just a draft pick. He is a product of years of deliberate study, a coach’s son who understood that the game is won in the mind before it is won on the field.

For now, Simpson will sit, watch, and learn from one of the best to ever do it. And when the moment comes, he will be ready. Because he already has been for years.

Final Verdict: A Win-Win for Ty Simpson and the Rams

The Los Angeles Rams made a bold move on draft night. They selected a quarterback who may not start a game in 2025, but who has the mental makeup to lead this franchise for a decade. Ty Simpson is not a flashy pick. He is a smart pick. He is a pick built on preparation, humility, and a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

From studying Matthew Stafford’s footwork in college to now sharing a quarterback room with him, Simpson’s journey is a masterclass in intentionality. He did not wait for the NFL to teach him. He taught himself. And that is why the Rams believe he is the perfect successor.

So what is the takeaway? The Rams did not just draft a quarterback. They drafted a student, a leader, and a future star who has already passed his first test: understanding the system. Now the real work begins. But if history is any guide, Ty Simpson will be more than ready.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.