New Los Angeles Rams quarterback Ty Simpson comes in with question marks, but he will not follow in Jared Goff’s footsteps. Simpson is stepping into a more stable environment, putting him in a better position to succeed long-term in Hollywood than Goff ever had.
The last two times the Rams have selected an offensive player in the first round have been quarterbacks. In fact, the team has drafted four signal callers in the first round since Heisman Trophy winner Terry Baker was made the top overall pick in the 1963 draft. The franchise has also selected three first round QBs this century alone, and maybe the third time will be the charm for Simpson.
Simpson will not be expected to start right away, as he’ll be competing for the backup spot behind Matthew Stafford. As long as Stafford remains healthy, there will be absolutely no rush or pressure to give him playing time.
"Sean McVay sat down with Matthew Stafford and he communicated what our plans were..Matthew understands what the plan is and we're gonna continue chasing special moments with him"Les Snead #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/0VVpFYCWbI
That was not the case for Goff, who was anticipated as being the immediate starter to begin his career, only to be forced to wait, creating instant pressure. The coaching staff did him zero favors as he struggled through his rookie campaign on a terrible team, finishing 0-7 as a starter. Sean McVay coming in ahead of his second season essentially saved his career.
What’s different in the Rams’ situation in 2016 compared to 2026 is that they DESERVED that first overall pick. Well, okay, they traded up to that spot, but it was a move made to stay relevant in a crowded Los Angeles sports scene, but they still weren’t a very good team at that time anyway.
Currently, L.A. is a few months removed from an NFC Championship appearance, only picking in the top 15 after trading with the Falcons in last year’s draft. The Rams are considered a heavy Super Bowl favorite, so that should buy Simpson enough time to learn the system under a head coach not under the hot seat, as Jeff Fisher was for Goff.
Simpson will eventually be asked to do more by keeping the franchise relevant after Matthew Stafford retires. Goff was only tasked with getting the Rams back to the playoffs and succeeded there, even getting them to the big game, until he showed his limitations as a quarterback. Clearly, the front office believes in the Alabama product, and that belief is why they chose him.
Take this from ESPN’s Bill Barnwell in his column on Tuesday:
“In the big picture, though, the Rams were able to add a player who could help keep them from the same decade of irrelevance they dealt with between the end of the Kurt Warner era and Goff’s ascension to Pro Bowl play under McVay. If that keeps McVay on board as coach and away from a media job after Stafford’s retirement, Simpson could be even more valuable.”
The Rams’ coaching staff will be tested by how well Simpson plays after developing him from the ground up. Unlike Goff, he isn’t tasked with saving a struggling franchise right off the bat, so instead, he’ll be given ample time to develop while playing under a winning culture. That alone will be the difference maker as to whether L.A. has found their QB of the future.