Stafford confirms mentorship role following Rams’ historic draft selection

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has broken his silence on the team’s selection of Ty Simpson, confirming he is actively mentoring the rookie following the 2026 NFL Draft. Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, Stafford addressed the decision to draft Simpson with the 13th overall pick, describing the Alabama product as a “sponge” eager to absorb knowledge. The interview marks Stafford’s first public comments since the draft and follows his recent signing of a revised contract with the club.

Stafford, 37, revealed he had previously monitored Simpson’s performances at Alabama, specifically noting a September match where Simpson threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over Georgia, Stafford’s former university. Stafford admitted to sending a text message to Simpson after the draft, stating, “Really enjoyed watching you play, you were just in the wrong jersey. You weren't a Dawg.” He emphasised that his willingness to mentor stems from the support he received early in his own career after being drafted first overall by the Rams in 2009.

Despite Stafford’s outreach, Simpson had confirmed during his introductory press conference on April 24 that he had not yet spoken directly with the veteran. Simpson noted that Stafford’s wife, Kelly, had welcomed him via Instagram and offered support for his family. Simpson expressed enthusiasm about eventually picking Stafford’s brain, citing the veteran’s professional approach as a key reason for his excitement to join the organisation.

The Rams’ decision to select a quarterback in the first round while holding a reigning MVP is a rare occurrence in professional football. This event marks only the second time in Super Bowl era history that a team with the reigning MVP used a first-round pick on a quarterback. The previous instance occurred in 1967, when the Green Bay Packers selected Don Horn after Bart Starr won the MVP award in 1966. Stafford’s contract revision, which includes a raise for 2026 and positions him favourably for 2027, was signed shortly before the interview took place.

Stafford stated he is currently in the meeting room and on the practice field with Simpson, aiming to share as much knowledge as possible while keeping the team focused on winning. He declined to speculate on the immediate future, noting that his primary objective is to prepare the squad for the upcoming season. Stafford is scheduled to hold his first press conference of the offseason later in the day, where he is expected to face further scrutiny regarding the draft strategy and the transition of responsibilities within the quarterback room.