The Rams’ plan for Ty Simpson is not new

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 1: quarterback Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts before the game during the College Football Playoff Quarter Final Game at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 1, 2026 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images) | Getty Images People are getting it wrong on the Los Angeles Rams, Ty Simpson, and Matthew Stafford. Partly this is because LA’s selection of Simpson with the 13th overall selection in last month’s NFL Draft was unexpected and jarring to many fans of the team.

But NFL history is littered with examples of franchises futureproofing football’s most valuable position, even if the only parallel the consensus seems to draw is between Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love. Drafting Simpson is not a desperation move for the Rams. It’s a long-term strategy and one the NFL has seen be successful many times over.

Let’s look at every recent example I could think of where a team drafted a new quarterback to replace a great. Drew Brees —> Philip Rivers (2004) Drew Brees was a different quarterback with the San Diego Chargers than how we remember him for his time with the New Orleans Saints. The Chargers knew Brees was solid but questioned his abilities to remain healthy and emerge as a top echelon quarterback.

San Diego drafted Brees in the second round (32nd overall, now considered a first-round pick) in 2001. He demonstrated promise but was briefly benched in 2003. The Chargers drafted Eli Manning first overall in 2004 then traded him to the Giants in exchange for Philip Rivers plus draft picks.