The Los Angeles Rams have officially signed a player the franchise is hoping will be its quarterback of the future.
The Rams and Ty Simpson have agreed to a four-year, $25.4 million rookie contract, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The deal is fully guaranteed and features a fifth-year option. Simpson also received a $14.94 million signing bonus.
The Rams selected Simpson with the No. 13 pick of the 2026 NFL draft despite a relative lack of college experience compared to other quarterbacks in the draft.
Simpson went pro after just one season as the starter at Alabama, where he completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and five picks in 15 starts.
B/R NFL scout Damian Parson wrote in his pre-draft scouting report that Simpson “flashed potential to be an NFL starting quarterback with a savvy, polished skill set that translates well into NFL offenses,” but that aspects of his game could be improved with more experience.
That’s not as much of a concern for a Rams team that isn’t expecting Simpson to start right away.
Reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford confirmed in February that he intended to return, and head coach Sean McVay said after Simpson’s selection the Rams would remain “Matthew’s team.”
General manager Les Snead said in an April appearance on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show that using a first-round pick on Simpson would take some pressure off the Rams to prepare for the post-Stafford era, allowing the team to use other draft assets to build around their star quarterback in the short term.
The Rams already took advantage by trading the No. 29 pick of the 2026 draft as part of a package to acquire cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs before landing Myles Garrett in a blockbuster deal with the Cleveland Browns.
Simpson said after the draft his experience backing up Jalen Milroe at Alabama was “probably” the most important of his college career, and that he “can’t wait” to get a similar experience behind Stafford.
As the Rams look to build a contender around Stafford in the immediate future, Simpson will look to continue his development toward potentially starting for the franchise in the future.
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