Los Angeles Rams Drafted Quarterback Ty Simpson, But is Matthew Stafford Retiring?
The Los Angeles Rams have finally signaled the beginning of the end for the Matthew Stafford era. By picking Alabama standout Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick on Thursday night during the NFL draft, head coach Sean McVay has secured a mobile, high-velocity successor, leaving Rams fans to ask: Is Matthew Stafford retiring?
Is Matthew Stafford Retiring After the 2026 Season?
The question of whether Matthew Stafford is retiring has been a cloud over SoFi Stadium for the last two off-seasons. Despite a career-defining 2025 MVP campaign, the 38-year-old veteran has not confirmed how much longer he intends to play.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Sean McVay personally reached out to Stafford on Thursday to inform him of the team's plan to take Simpson at No. 13. This proactive move suggests the Rams are no longer treating Stafford's exit as a "maybe," but as a timeline they must manage.
Who is Ty Simpson? The New Rams QB Successor
With Stafford entering his 18th season, Ty Simpson arrives in L.A. as the most significant investment the Rams have made at the position in a decade. Simpson was widely considered the second-best QB in the 2026 class behind Indiana's Fernando Mendoza.
A message from the newest Ram! pic.twitter.com/erWdoM7CoB
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 24, 2026
At Alabama, Simpson completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns last season. He brings a "gunslinger" mentality that mirrors Stafford's arm talent, but adds the modern-day mobility that Sean McVay's evolving offense has been missing. "Matthew is just one of the greatest of all time," Simpson told ESPN. "I'm looking forward to it."
What the Ty Simpson Pick Means for Stafford's Future
By using a top-15 pick on a quarterback, the Rams have effectively moved the succession clock to the forefront. While Stafford is expected to remain the starter for the 2026 season, the selection of Simpson allows the Rams to avoid a doomsday scenario at the position should Stafford decide to hang up his cleats next February.
Simpson is expected to serve as the primary backup alongside Stetson Bennett IV, likely spending the upcoming year in a redshirt capacity.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 9:35 PM.