Ty Simpson: Why He’s Hunting Rams’ QB Pressure, Not Hiding

The Big News

The Los Angeles Rams amazed everyone erstwhile they picked Ty Simpson with the 13th wide pick successful the 2026 NFL Draft. Now, the 23-year-old backmost from Alabama is astir to play successful his first-ever NFL game — a preseason matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs astatine Arrowhead Stadium.

Game Details: Saturday, 1:00 PM PDT connected CBS

Who Is Ty Simpson?

Think of Simpson similar a highly-touted rookie who skipped a fewer grades. Here’s the speedy version:

• College: University of Alabama
• Games started successful college: Only 15 (that’s not galore for a apical draught pick!)
• Draft position: 13th overall — a "lottery ticket" pick
• Role: The heir apparent to superstar backmost Matthew Stafford

ELI5: Imagine being picked to yet instrumentality implicit for the squad captain, but you’ve lone been the starter for astir fractional a play successful college. That’s a batch of pressure!

The Road to Saturday

Offseason & Training Camp Journey

What the Teammates & Coaches See

"His limb and the assurance that he’s throwing the shot with has decidedly grown a ton… I deliberation he’s feeling much comfy successful the pocket, knowing and seeing much guys tally routes."
— Puka Nacua, Star Wide Receiver

"You’ve surely seen him spell and marque immoderate throws and spell and vie successful a truly chill way."
— Nate Scheelhaase, Offensive Coordinator

What Makes This Game Different?

Practice vs. Real Game

Simpson calls it: "A full antithetic lifestyle."

The Supporting Cast

Who’s Playing, Who’s Sitting

PLAYING:

• Ty Simpson (Rookie QB) — gets his archetypal 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 however Bennett and Simpson manage the offense — earlier and aft the drawback — and whether they tin use their legs erstwhile the pouch collapses.

The Veteran Guidance

Simpson isn’t alone. He’s got a quarterback country afloat of teachers:

1. Matthew Stafford — The franchise QB, Super Bowl winner
2. Stetson Bennett — Two-time nationalist champ astatine Georgia
3. Dave Ragone — Quarterbacks coach

The Best Advice Simpson Got

"Just spell fto it rip. It’s thing that you haven’t done before."
— Matthew Stafford

Simple. Direct. Veteran wisdom.

Simpson’s Mindset

Despite the hype and unit (the Rams are Super Bowl favorites), Simpson says helium doesn’t consciousness the weight — astatine slightest not outwardly.

His Approach:

1. Stay present — One time astatine a time
2. Count blessings — "I’m the No. 13 pick… that’s a blessing"
3. Maximize each rep — Every practice, each drawback matters
4. Accept mistakes — "There are going to beryllium things I messiness up on… I’ll larn and determination on"

What to Watch For Saturday

Key Things to Track

Summary

• Ty Simpson, 13th wide pick, makes his NFL preseason debut Saturday vs. Chiefs
• He’s the future down Matthew Stafford, but lone started 15 assemblage games
• Showed dependable improvement done offseason, camp, and associated practices
• Teammates and coaches spot increasing assurance and limb talent
• First existent test: Live contact, crippled speed, nary script
• Veteran mentors (Stafford, Bennett, Ragone) guiding him
• Mindset: Present, grateful, acceptable to larn from mistakes

Bottom line: This isn’t astir winning the preseason game. It’s astir Simpson’s archetypal step connected a agelong travel to perchance starring a Super Bowl contender.

FAQ

Why did the Rams draught a QB truthful precocious if they person Matthew Stafford?

A: Stafford is 37 years old. Simpson is the succession plan — the "quarterback of the future" they tin make dilatory down a legend.

What’s the quality betwixt preseason and regular season?

A: Preseason games don’t count for standings. Coaches usage them to measure backups and rookies. Starters hardly play. Regular play games count for real — playoffs, records, championships.

Who is Stetson Bennett and wherefore is helium starting?

A: Bennett is simply a 4th-year pro who won 2 nationalist titles astatine Georgia. He’s the current backup to Stafford. This is his best accidental yet to beryllium helium tin beryllium a reliable NFL #2.

Will Simpson commencement the regular season?

A: Almost surely not. Stafford is the starter. Simpson volition apt beryllium the #3 quarterback (emergency backup) and make connected the signifier squad oregon arsenic inactive game-day QB.

What does "let it rip" mean?

A: It’s shot slang for "throw it with confidence, don’t hesitate, spot your arm." Stafford was telling Simpson: You cognize however to play. Just play.