Did the Rams Make a Mistake Drafting Ty Simpson?

NORMAN, OKLAHOMA - DECEMBER 19: Head coach Kalen Deboer and Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide walk off the field 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 Brian Bahr/Getty Images) | Getty Images When the Los Angeles Rams drafted Ty Simpson, they targeted a player who was praised for quick processing and a high football IQ within an offensive system at Alabama that is considered more complicated and “pro style” than other programs. However, we have a clear example of a recent first-round pick who came out of the same system and had far more college experience running it: Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

If Simpson ends up being as good as Penix, did the Rams make the right decision with the 13th overall pick? That is the most important question at hand for Rams fans wondering whether or not Sean McVay made the right decision in tabbing Simpson as Matthew Stafford’s eventual successor in the draft. Kalen DeBoer’s offense As the offensive coordinator at Indiana in 2019, DeBoer’s offense scored 36.

6 points per game in the six starts by Penix prior to his injury that season. "You want poise, passion and potential, consider redshirt freshman quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and the Indiana Football Hoosiers.

" — @pdiprimio https://t. co/stOKFXY3bp — Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) September 2, 2019 Indiana’s offense got significantly worse with Peyton Ramsey and after the season DeBoer left to be the head coach at Fresno State. The first year was a wash because of the pandemic, but in 2021, quarterback Jake Haener was electric with 33 touchdowns in DeBoer’s offense as Fresno State finished 10-3.