Sean McVay has said multiple times in the last year that as long as Matthew Stafford wants to keep playing, the Los Angeles Rams will happily have him as their franchise quarterback. But did that timeline change at all with the selection of Ty Simpson at No. 13 overall on Thursday night?
McVay doesn’t seem to believe so. He told reporters during his Round 1 press conference that it’s still Stafford’s team and the Rams’ decision to draft Simpson has no impact on their contract negotiations with the reigning MVP.
The Rams gave Stafford a heads-up about their plans to take Simpson, which was a similar courtesy given to Kyren Williams a couple of years ago, so it’s not as if he was caught off-guard by the move. And McVay says Stafford “was great” about it, unsurprisingly so.
Sean McVay: "Let's make one thing clear, this is Matthew's team." Declined to talk about his conversation with Stafford today, and said the Ty Simpson pick doesn't impact contract negotiations with Stafford
Sean McVay on Matthew Stafford's reaction to the Ty Simpson pick: "He was great. He's always a stud in every sense of the word"
Stafford just turned 38 in February but age is just a number for him. He's fresh off a season where he led the NFL in touchdown passes and passing yards, winning his first career MVP award at the age of 37.
He's aged like fine wine, getting better with each passing year, it seems. He's played so well, in fact, that the Rams have held contract negotiations with him – and it's not just to give him a raise. Ian Rapoport reported it's more about the length of his deal, treating it like a true extension. Stafford's current deal expires after the 2026 season, so he'll be a free agent if the Rams don't sign him beforehand.
It's hard to imagine this move won't impact contract negotiations, but we'll see how it plays out. Les Snead said earlier this week that he doesn't expect any "drama" with Stafford's deal, unlike the last couple of years when the two sides negotiated reworked contracts.
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 18: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after passing for a touchdown against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)ATHENS, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide passes against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second quarter at Sanford Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 18: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide holds a cigar in his mouth after their 37-20 win over Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 25: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide plays against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 08: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes out of the pocket against the LSU Tigers during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 15: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior to taking the field against the Oklahoma Sooners during the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 15: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide throws a pass against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second quarter of a football game at Bryant Denny Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)AUBURN, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 29: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to pass against the Auburn Tigers during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)AUBURN, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 29: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rolls out of the pocket against the Auburn Tigers during the first quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)AUBURN, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 29: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts at the end of the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 06: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to throw the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the fourth quarter in the 2025 SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)NORMAN, OKLAHOMA - DECEMBER 19: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide calls a time out during the first quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners during 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on December 19, 2025 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)NORMAN, OKLAHOMA - DECEMBER 19: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after defeating the Oklahoma Sooners during 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on December 19, 2025 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)NORMAN, OKLAHOMA - DECEMBER 19: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates a touchdown during the third quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners during 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on December 19, 2025 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in action against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Ty Simpson of Alabama celebrates after being selected thirteenth overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)1 / 16Best photos of new Rams QB Ty SimpsonTUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 18: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after passing for a touchdown against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)1 / 16Best photos of new Rams QB Ty SimpsonTUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 18: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after passing for a touchdown against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)2 / 16Best photos of new Rams QB Ty SimpsonATHENS, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide passes against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second quarter at Sanford Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)3 / 16Best photos of new Rams QB Ty SimpsonTUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 18: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide holds a cigar in his mouth after their 37-20 win over Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)4 / 16Best photos of new Rams QB Ty SimpsonCOLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 25: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide plays against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)5 / 16Best photos of new Rams QB Ty SimpsonTUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 08: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes out of the pocket against the LSU Tigers during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)6 / 16Best photos of new Rams QB Ty SimpsonTUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 15: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior to taking the field against the Oklahoma Sooners during the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)7 / 16Best photos of new Rams QB Ty SimpsonTUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 15: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide throws a pass against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second quarter of a football game at Bryant Denny Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)8 / 16Best photos of new Rams QB Ty SimpsonAUBURN, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 29: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to pass against the Auburn Tigers during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)9 / 16Best photos of new Rams QB Ty SimpsonAUBURN, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 29: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rolls out of the pocket against the Auburn Tigers during the first quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)10 / 16Best photos of new Rams QB Ty SimpsonAUBURN, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 29: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts at the end of the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)11 / 16Best photos of new Rams QB Ty SimpsonATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 06: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to throw the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the fourth quarter in the 2025 SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)12 / 16Best photos of new Rams QB Ty SimpsonNORMAN, OKLAHOMA - DECEMBER 19: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide calls a time out during the first quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners during 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on December 19, 2025 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)13 / 16Best photos of new Rams QB Ty SimpsonNORMAN, OKLAHOMA - DECEMBER 19: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after defeating the Oklahoma Sooners during 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on December 19, 2025 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)14 / 16Best photos of new Rams QB Ty SimpsonNORMAN, OKLAHOMA - DECEMBER 19: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates a touchdown during the third quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners during 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on December 19, 2025 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)15 / 16Best photos of new Rams QB Ty SimpsonPASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in action against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)16 / 16Best photos of new Rams QB Ty SimpsonPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Ty Simpson of Alabama celebrates after being selected thirteenth overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Sean McVay says Ty Simpson doesn't affect Matthew Stafford's contract