The reigning NFL MVP opened up about the Rams drafting his heir apparent.
The Los Angeles Rams weren’t about to allow their reining NFL MVP quarterback to hear the news that they were drafting his potential replacement in real time with the rest of the football world. Rams head coach Sean McVay was quick to call Matthew Stafford to alert him that they were going to draft Alabama Crimson Tide’s Ty Simpson, something the signal caller was grateful for. Ahead of the 2026 season, Stafford is embracing Los Angeles’ succession plan while making it clear that he is locked in on the best campaign possible.
The Rams took Simpson No. 13 overall, something that Stafford ultimately understood, noting that he isn’t “25 years old” anymore. Notably, he is willing to be a mentor to the young rookie, explaining that his role is to help answer his questions. There have been several instances in NFL history where the predecessor who is still in the building isn’t as open to teaching their successor how to take the ropes from them. But Stafford is aware of the realities of football, despite coming off his first MVP campaign.
To read more about Stafford’s candidness as he approaches the end of his career, here is the full story from Rams Roundtable writer Ricardo Sandoval.
Stafford led the league last season with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdown passes, showing that he still has it at 38 years old as he enters what could be on the final campaigns of his illustrious NFL career. For now, he remains one of the league’s best, and the Rams acknowledged that with their one-year extension while still smartly setting themselves up for the future.
