The NFL rumor mill is buzzing with a fascinating story out of Los Angeles, and it involves the Rams' front office making a bold promise that could reshape their future under center.
According to an NFL executive speaking to The Athletic's Mike Sando, Rams general manager Les Snead reportedly made a handshake deal with agent Jimmy Sexton regarding Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. The alleged pact? That Simpson wouldn't fall past the Rams in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The backstory adds even more intrigue. When Simpson was weighing whether to declare for the draft or return to college, his father reached out to league insiders for advice—including Snead himself. The Rams GM reportedly told the elder Simpson that his son possessed first-round talent, setting the stage for what would become a draft-night saga.
"Drafting a quarterback without talking to him would be crazy—unbelievable," one executive told Sando. "I was told that Les made a deal with Jimmy Sexton when the kid was coming out and promised him he'd get no lower than them."
While it's unclear whether these conversations happened before or after the Rams traded the 29th overall pick for cornerback Trent McDuffie, the timeline might not matter. All signs point to Los Angeles having Simpson in their sights at pick No. 13 if he was still available—after initially targeting him with that 29th selection.
Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur revealed this week that the organization has had its eye on Simpson for quite some time, dating back to last season when he was still on staff as Sean McVay's coordinator. This wasn't a last-minute decision cooked up on draft night; it was a calculated, long-term evaluation.
Whether Snead actually made a binding promise to Simpson's camp remains unconfirmed, but one thing is clear: the Rams did their homework, consulted the quarterback's family, and clearly valued him as a cornerstone piece. For fans of the blue and gold, this signals a franchise thinking ahead—and willing to make bold moves to secure its quarterback of the future.