The Los Angeles Rams made the most shocking move of the first-round in the 2026 NFL draft when they drafted Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick. Simpson’s selection is surprising because the Rams are coming off an NFC championship appearance and are trying to win during the final years of quarterback Matthew Stafford’s career. Stafford is coming off an MVP-winning season.
The Rams did enter the draft with a significant roster need. With last season’s backup quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, considering retirement, Los Angeles was expected to either draft or sign another quarterback. The Rams could have rolled with Stetson Bennett as the backup, but they elected to address the position via the draft.
Simpson is expected learn behind Stafford and isn’t a threat to take the starting job. In fact, Rams coach Sean McVay says Simpson will be competing with Bennett for the backup role.
“We’ll see, he’s going to compete with Stetson (Bennett for the backup role),” McVay said on if Simpson would be the Rams’ second-string quarterback.
“Yeah, I did,” McVay said when asked if he had a conversation with Stafford prior to drafting Simpson. “I’ll keep that between us.”
McVay went on to assure the media that “this is Matthew’s (Stafford) team” to prevent discussion of Simpson starting as a rookie.
Bennett is entering the final year of his rookie contract and could maintain his role as the Rams’ third-string/practice squad quarterback if he loses out to Ty Simpson in the backup quarterback competition. This offseason presented a perfect chance for Bennett to climb the Rams’ quarterback depth chart, but realistically that door has been closed.
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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: What’s next for Stetson Bennett after NFL draft shocker