After spending this offseason going all in, the Los Angeles Rams did the exact opposite by selecting Ty Simpson. The Simpson pick proves general manager Les Snead learned nothing from the Packers, who made a similar mistake selecting a first-round quarterback during a Super Bowl window.
Snead seems to have forgotten that the Rams were within striking distance of the NFC crown. Matthew Stafford is the reigning MVP, and instead of selecting a player to push them over the top on a roster built to win
now, they chose his replacement. This is exactly what Green Bay did to Aaron Rodgers six years ago after they came off an NFC Championship appearance.
History tends to repeat itself because no lives long enough, or in Snead’s case, pays attention long enough to see the pattern. And if he were thinking about long-term security, the timing makes far less sense in hindsight.
In all fairness to the Packers, Rodgers wasn’t his typical elite self in the season before the team selected Love. He was learning a new offense under first-year head coach Matt LaFleur, yet still had enough juice left in the tank. Then after selecting the Utah State QB, Rodgers won back-to-back MVPs and fell short of bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown in each of those campaigns.
Snead picking Simpson has destined the Rams to meet the fate of those Rodgers-led Packers squads.
This is not meant to be a criticism of Simpson. The former Alabama star could prove to be a good fit in Hollywood. However, going with a young signal caller so early when there are more pressing needs to address is sheer stupidity, especially when the team is trying to maximize what’s left of Stafford’s career.
Anyone who had the chance to watch last night’s presser with Snead and Sean McVay could tell something was off. Based on body language and his muted response, McVay didn’t seem to care for the pick.
Maybe we’re reading too much into things here, but if McVay is indeed upset about the pick, he has every right to be.
Again, the Rams were ONE GAME AWAY from the Super Bowl. Did I say that? Guess someone didn’t say it loud enough for Snead to hear. McVay likely wanted another weapon to help push the team over the top and get Stafford back to the big game. Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq and USC wideout Makai Lemon went a few picks after Simpson. Lemon went to the Eagles of all teams. THE EAGLES! E-A-G-L-E-S!!
Either one of those players could’ve helped L.A., but we’ll never know because Snead opted to play it safe in Round 1.
Nothing about Stafford’s play last season indicated that his play was close to falling off a cliff. He won MVP for crying out loud! It’s understandable to plan for the future, particularly given Stafford’s offseason injury concerns, and there’s zero doubt that he’ll be a positive mentor for Simpson, as Rodgers was for Love.
Still, it’s a baffling waste of a premium pick for Snead, considering the 2027 quarterback draft class is already shaping up to be significantly stronger. Next year’s class could consist of:
- Dante Moore (Oregon)
- Julian Sayin (Ohio State)
- LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina)
- Jayden Maiava (USC)
- C.J. Carr (Notre Dame)
- Brendan Sorsby (Texas Tech)
- John Mateer (Oklahoma)
- Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss)
- Sam Leavitt (LSU)
- And oh yeah … Arch effin’ Manning (Texas)
Rather than going for the ultimate kill shot, Snead pulled a Packers in the first round. Green Bay is a model organization in most respects, but their lack of aggression with future Hall of Fame signal callers already on the roster is not something to emulate.
Snead learned nothing from the Packers by drafting a first round QB in the middle of a title window, and if the Rams fall short in the playoffs again, the blood will be on his hands.
