You shouldn’t believe everything you hear this time of year regarding the NFL Draft and team’s reported intentions. However, when three separate league insiders join The Rich Eisen Show and connect the Los Angeles Rams to Ty Simpson, you can’t help but notice is smoke. The real question is whether there is fire beneath.
Albert Breer, Todd McShay, and Tom Pelissero all talked about the Rams being one of the most likely spots for quarterback Ty Simpson. Here’s what they each had to say:
Breer
Man, it’d be
interesting if (Simpson) went to a team like the Rams in the second round. You know, like where they could sit him and development him.
McShay
I think Arizona is the most intriguing fit, and I think the Rams have interest but probably on their terms—meaning what? Second round. So the market is interesting for Simpson.
Pelissero
The real question is where is the value for Ty Simpson?… I believe at the end of the day, Ty Simpson is going to be a first-round pick. Having said that, I don’t currently, as I’m talking to teams and looking at it, have a no-doubt spot… We certainly can debate that, but it has to be a consideration there. I know the Rams have done a ton of homework on Ty Simpson, but they already traded one of their first-round picks to go get Trent McDuffie.
Is there fire? 🔥
The three insiders talked with Eisen about how Simpson is commonly compared to Brock Purdy. It’s a difficult line to connect because Purdy was the final selection in his draft. Can you pick a player with a similar athletic profile that much earlier in the first or second round? The truth is likely that there is now a proof of concept for how a shorter quarterback without a cannon arm can operate—and even elevate—the Shanahan/McVay offensive scheme. Simpson is slightly more athletic and has a notably better arm than Purdy. Are there limitations to the 49ers’ offense with Purdy? Of course, but in theory Simpson would be capable of doing more if his development pans out.
We haven’t heard the Rams tied to quarterbacks in meaningful ways since they traded for Matthew Stafford in 2021. The Giants traded up one pick before LA in order to acquire Jaxson Dart a year ago. Even if this isn’t Stafford’s final season in the NFL, the Rams must start building contingency plans. They’ve apparently studied Simpson to great lengths and are interested either at the back of the first round or in the second.
The Rams seem willing to take Simpson. As McShay explained, it must be on their terms.
